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THE 



DOCTRINES 



AND 



DISCIPLINE 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
ii 
i . 



NEW-YORK! 

PUBLISHED BY GEORGE LANE, 

FOR THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AT THE CONFERENCE OFFICE, 
200 MULBERRY-STREET. 



J. Collordy Printer. 

1840, 



As 



"Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1840, by 
T. Mason and G. Lane, in the Clerk's Office of the District 
Court of the Southern District of New-York." 



In Exchange 
Duke University* 
JUL 1 2 1933 



TO THE MEMBERS 



OP THE 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

Dearly Beloved Brethren, — We think 
it expedient to give you a brief account of 
the rise of Methodism, both in Europe and 
America. "In 1729, two young men, in 
England, reading the Bible, saw they could 
not be saved without holiness : followed after 
it, and incited others so to do. In 1737, they 
saw, likewise, that men are justified before 
they are sanctified : but still holiness was their 
object. God then thrust them out to raise a 
holy people."* 

In the year 1766, Philip Embury, a, local 
preacher of our society, from Ireland, began 
to preach in the city of New- York, and formed 
a society of his own countrymen and the 
citizens ; and the same year, Thomas Webb 
preached in a hired room near the barracks. 
About the same time, Robert Strawbridge, a 
local preacher from Ireland, settled in Fre- 

* These are the words of Messrs. Wesley themselves. 



4 ADDRESS- 

derick county, in the state of Maryland, and, 
preaching there, formed some societies. The 
first Methodist church was built in New- York 
in 1768 or 1769 ; and in 1769 Richard Board- 
man and Joseph Pilmoor came to New-York ; 
who were the first regular Methodist preach- 
ers on the continent. In the latter end of the 
year 1 77 1 , Francis Asbury and Richard Wright, 
of the same order, came over. 

We believe that God's design in raising up 
the preachers called Methodists in America, 
was to reform the continent, and spread Scrip- 
ture holiness over these lands. As a proof 
hereof, we have seen, since that time, a great 
and glorious work of God, from New- York, 
through the Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, 
Maryland, Virginia, North and South Caro- 
lina, and Georgia ; as also, of late, to the ex- 
tremities of the western and eastern states. 

We esteem it our duty and privilege most 
earnestly to recommend to you, as members 
of our Church, our form of discipline, which 
has been founded on the experience of a long 
series of years ; as also on the observations 
and remarks we have made on ancient and 
modern Churches. 



ADDRESS. 5 

We wish to see this little* publication in the 
house of every Methodist ; and the more so, 
as it contains the articles of religion maintained 
more or less, in part or in whole, by every re- 
formed Church in the world. 

Far from wishing you to be ignorant of any 
of our doctrines, or any part of our discipline, 
we desire you to read, mark, learn, and in- 
wardly digest the whole. You ought, next to 
the word of God, to procure the articles and 
canons of the Church to which you belong. 
This present edition is small* and cheap, and 
we can assure you that the profits of the sale 
of it shall be applied to charitable and reli- 
gious purposes. 

We remain your very affectionate brethren 
and pastors, who labour night and day, both 
in public and in private, for your good. 

ROBERT R. ROBERTS, 
JOSHUA SOULE, 
ELIJAH HEDDING, 
JAMES O. ANDREW, 
BEVERLY WAUGH, 
THOMAS A. MORRIS. 

* This address was prepared for the small edition of the Disci- 
pline : hence these references to the size of the book the reader will 
perceive are not altogether applicable to the present edition. — Ed. 



THE 

DOCTRINES AND DISCIPLINE 

OF THE 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



CHAPTER I. 

SECTION I. 

Of the Origin of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

The preachers and members of our society 
in general, being convinced that there was a 
great deficiency of vital religion in the Church 
of England in America, and being in many 
places destitute of the Christian sacraments, 
as several of the clergy had forsaken their 
churches, requested the late Rev. John Wesley 
to take such measures, in his wisdom and 
prudence, as would afford them suitable relief 
in their distress. 

In consequence of this, our venerable friend, 
who, under God, had been the father of the 
great revival of religion now extending over 
the earth, by the means of the Methodists, 
determined to ordain ministers for America ; 
and for this purpose, in the year 1784, sent 



8 ARTICLES OF RELIGION. Ch. 1. 

over three regularly ordained clergy : but pre- 
ferring the episcopal mode of Church govern- 
ment to any other, he solemnly set apart, by 
the imposition of his hands and prayer, one of 
them, viz., Thomas Coke, Doctor of Civil Law, 
late of Jesus College, in the University of 
Oxford, and a presbyter of the Church of 
England, for the episcopal office ; and having 
delivered to him letters of episcopal orders, 
commissioned and directed him to set apart 
Francis Asbury, then general assistant of the 
Methodist Society in America, for the same 
episcopal office ; he, the said Francis Asbury, 
being first ordained deacon and elder. In 
consequence of which, the said Francis Asbury 
was solemnly set apart for the said episcopal 
office by prayer, and the imposition of the 
hands of the said Thomas Coke, other regularly 
ordained ministers assisting in the sacred cere- 
mony. At which time the General Conference, 
held at Baltimore, did unanimously receive the 
said Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury as their 
bishops, being fully satisfied of the validity of 
their episcopal ordination. 



Sec. 2. ARTICLES OF RELIGION. 9 

SECTION II. 
ARTICLES OF RELIGION. 

I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity. 

There is but one living and true God, ever- 
lasting, without body or parts, of infinite 
power, wisdom, and goodness : the maker and 
preserver of all things, visible and invisible. 
And in unity of this Godhead, there are three 
persons, of one substance, power, and eternity ; 
— the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. 

II. Of the Wordy or Son of God, who was made very Man. 

The Son, who is the Word of the Father, 
the very and eternal God, of one substance 
with the Father, took man's nature in the 
womb of the blessed virgin; so that two 
whole and perfect natures, that is to say, 
the Godhead and manhood, were joined to- 
gether in one person, never to be divided, 
whereof is one Christ, very God and very 
man, who truly suffered, was crucified, dead 
and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and 
to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, 
but also for actual sins of men. 

III. Of the Resurrection of Christ. 

Christ did truly rise again from the dead, 
and took again his body, with all things ap- 

1* 



10 ARTICLES OF RELIGION. Ch. 1. 

pertaining to the perfection of man's nature, 
wherewith he ascended into heaven, and there 
sitteth until he return to judge all men at the 
last day. 

IV. Of the Holy Ghost. 

The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father 
and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and 
glory, with the Father and the Son, very and 
eternal God. 

V. The Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation. 

The Holy Scriptures contain all things ne- 
cessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is 
not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, 
is not to be required of any man, that it should 
be believed as an article of faith, or be thought 
requisite or necessary to salvation. In the 
name of the Holy Scripture, we do under- 
stand those canonical books of the Old and 
New Testament, of whose authority was never 
any doubt in the Church. 

The Names of the Canonical Books. 

Genesis, 

Exodus, 

Leviticus, 

Numbers, 

Deuteronomy, 

Joshua, 



Sec. 2. ARTICLES OF RELIGION. 11 

Judges, 

Ruth, 

The First Book of Samuel, 

The Second Book of Samuel, 

The First Book of Kings, 

The Second Book of Kings, 

The First Book of Chronicles, 

The Second Book of Chronicles, 

The Book of Ezra, 

The Book of Nehemiah, 

The Book of Esther, 

The Book of Job, 

The Psalms, 

The Proverbs, 

Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher, 

Cantica, or Songs of Solomon, 

. rq "our Prophets the greater, 

Twelve Prophets the less : 
All the books of the New Testament, as they 
are commonly received, we do receive and 
account canonical. 

VI. Of the Old Testament. 

The Old Testament is not contrary to the 
New; for both in the Old and New Testa- 
ment everlasting life is offered to mankind by 
Christ, who is the only Mediator between God 
and man, being both God and man. Where- 
fore they are not to be heard who feign that 



12 ARTICLES OF RELIGION. Ck 1. 

the old fathers did look only for transitory 
promises. Although the law given from God 
by Moses, as touching ceremonies and rites, 
doth not bind Christians, nor ought the civil 
precepts thereof of necessity be received in 
any commonwealth ; yet, notwithstanding, no 
Christian whatsoever is free from the obe- 
dience of the commandments which are called 
moral. 

VII. Of Original or Birth Sin. 

Original sin standeth not in the following 
of Adam, (as the Pelagians do vainly talk,) 
but it is the corruption of the nature of every 
man, that naturally is engendered of the off- 
spring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone 
from original righteousness, and of his own 
nature inclined to evil, and that continually. 

VIII. Of Free Will 

The condition of man after the fall of Adam 
is such, that he cannot turn and prepare him- 
self, by his own natural strength and works, 
to faith, and calling upon God ; wherefore we 
have no power to do good works, pleasant 
and acceptable to God, without the grace of 
God by Christ preventing us, that we may 
have a good will, and working with us, when 
we have that good will. 



SeC. 2. AKTICLES OF RELIGION. 13 

IX. Of the Justification of Man. 

We are accounted righteous before God, 
only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ by faith, and not for our own 
works or deservings : — Wherefore, that we 
are justified by faith only, is a most whole- 
some doctrine, and very full of comfort. 

X. Of Good Works. 

Although good works, which are the fruits 
of faith, and follow after justification, cannot 
put away our sins, and endure the severity 
of God's judgments; yet are they pleasing 
and acceptable to God in Christ, and spring 
out of a true and lively faith, insomuch that 
by them a lively faith may be as evidently 
known as a tree is discerned by its fruit. 

XI. Of Works of Supererogation. 

Voluntary works, besides over and above 
God's commandments, which are called works 
of supererogation, cannot be taught without 
arrogancy and impiety. For by them men 
do declare that they do not only render unto 
God as much as they are bound to do, but 
that they do more for his sake than of bounden 
duty is required : whereas Christ saith plainly, 
When ye have done all that is commanded 
you, say, We are unprofitable servants. 



14 ARTICLES OF RELIGION. Ch. 1. 

XII. Of Sin after Justification. 

Not every sin willingly committed after 
justification is the sin against the Holy Ghost, 
and unpardonable. Wherefore, the grant of 
repentance is not to be denied to such as fall 
into sin after justification : after we have re- 
ceived the Holy Ghost, we may depart from 
grace given, and fall into sin, and, by the 
grace of God, rise again and amend our lives. 
And therefore they are to be condemned who 
say they can no more sin as long as they live 
here : or deny the place of forgiveness to such 
as truly repent. 

XIII. Of the Church 

The visible Church of Christ is a congre- 
gation of faithful men, in which the pure word 
of God is preached, and the sacraments duly 
administered according to Christ's ordinance 
in all those things that of necessity are requi- 
site to the same. 

XIV. Of Purgatory. 

The Romish doctrine concerning- purgatory, 
pardon, worshipping, and adoration, as well 
of images as of relics, and also invocation of 
saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and 
grounded upon no warrant of Scripture, but 
repugnant to the word of God. 



Sec. 2. ARTICLES OF RELIGION. 15 

XV. Of speaking in the Congregation in such a Tongue as 
the People understand. 

It is a thing plainly repugnant to the word 
of God, and the custom of the primitive Church, 
to have public prayer in the Church, or to 
minister the sacraments, in a tongue not un- 
derstood by the people. 

XVI. Of the Sacraments. 

Sacraments, ordained of Christ, are not 
only badges or tokens of Christian men's pro- 
fession ; but rather they are certain signs of 
grace, and God's good will toward us, by the 
which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth 
not only quicken, but also strengthen and 
confirm our faith in him. 

There are two sacraments ordained of 
Christ our Lord in the Gospel ; that is to say, 
baptism and the supper of the Lord. 

Those five commonly called sacraments, 
that is to say, confirmation, penance, orders, 
matrimony, and extreme unction, are not to 
be counted for sacraments of the Gospel, 
being such as have partly grown out of the 
corrupt following of the apostles ; and partly 
are states of life allowed in the Scriptures, 
but yet have not the like nature of baptism 
and the Lord's supper, because they have not 
any visible sign, or ceremony ordained of God. 



16 ARTICLES OF RELIGION. Ch. 1. 

The sacraments were not ordained of Christ 
to be gazed upon, or to be carried about ; but 
that we should duly use them. And in such 
only as w r orthily receive the same, they have 
a w T holesome effect or operation: but they 
that receive them unworthily, purchase to 
themselves condemnation, as St. Paul saith, 
1 Cor. xi, 29. 

XVII. Of Baptism, 

Baptism is not only a sign of profession, 
and mark of difference, whereby Christians 
are distinguished from others that are not 
baptized : but it is also a sign of regenera- 
tion, or the new birth. The baptism of young 
children is to be retained in the Church. 

XVIII. Of the Lord's Supper. 

The slipper of the Lord is not only a sign 
of the love that Christians ought to have 
among themselves one to another, but rather 
is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ's 
death: insomuch that, to such as rightly, 
worthily, and with faith receive the same, 
the bread which we break is a partaking of 
the body of Christ ; and likewise the cup of 
blessing is a partaking of the blood of Christ. 

Transubstantiation, or the change of the 
substance of bread and wine in the supper of 



SeC. 2. ARTICLES OF RELIGION. 17 

our Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ, but 
is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, 
overthroweth the nature of a sacrament, and 
hath given occasion to many superstitions. 

The body of Christ is given, taken, and 
eaten in the supper, only after a heavenly and 
spiritual manner. And the means whereby 
the body of Christ is received and eaten in the 
supper, is faith. 

The sacrament of the Lord's supper was 
not by Christ's ordinance reserved, carried 
about, lifted up, or worshipped. 

XIX. Of both hinds. 

The cup of the Lord is not to be denied 
to the lay people : for both the parts of the 
Lord's supper, by Christ's ordinance and com- 
mandment, ought to be administered to all 
Christians alike. 

XX. Of the one Oblation of Christ, finished upon the 
Cross. 

The offering of Christ, once made, is that 
perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfac- 
tion for all the sins of the whole world, both 
original and actual : and there is none other 
satisfaction for sin but that alone. Wherefore 
the sacrifice of masses, in the which it is 
commonly said that the priest doth offer Christ 
for the quick and the dead, to have remission 



18 ARTICLES OP RELIGION. Ch. 1. 

of pain or guilt, is a blasphemous fable, and 
dangerous deceit. 

XXI. Of the Marriage of Ministers. 

The ministers of Christ are not commanded 
by God's law either to vow the estate of single 
life, or to abstain from marriage : therefore it 
is lawful for them, as for all other Christians, 
to marry at their own discretion, as they shall 
judge the same to serve best to godliness. 

XXII. Of the Rites and Ceremonies of Churches. 

It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies 
should in all places be the same, or exactly 
alike : for they have been always different, 
and may be changed according to the diversity 
of countries, times, and men's manners, so that 
nothing be ordained against God's word. Who- 
soever, through his private judgment, willingly 
and purposely doth openly break the rites and 
ceremonies of the Church to which he belongs, 
which are not repugnant to the word of God,* 
and are ordained and approved by common 
authority, ought to be rebuked openly, that 
others may fear to do the like, as one that 
offendeth against the common order of the 
Church, and woundeth the consciences of 
weak brethren. 

Every particular Church may ordain, change, 



Sec. 2. ARTICLES OF RELIGION. 19 

or abolish rites and ceremonies, so that all 
things may be done to edification. 

XXIII. Of the Rulers of the United States of America. 

The president, the congress, the general 
assemblies, the governors, and the councils of 
state, as the delegates of the people, are the 
rulers of the United States of America, ac- 
cording to the division of power made to them 
by the constitution of the United States, and 
by the constitutions of their respective states. 
And the said states are a sovereign and inde- 
pendent nation, and ought not to be subject to 
any foreign jurisdiction.* 

XXIV. Of Christian Men's Goods. 

The riches and goods of Christians are not 
common, as touching the right, title, and pos- 
session of the same, as some do falsely boast. 
Notwithstanding, every man ought, of such 
things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms 
to the poor, according to his ability. 

* As far as it respects civil affairs, we believe it the duty of 
Christians, and especially all Christian ministers, to be subject to 
the supreme authority of the country where they may reside, and 
to use all laudable means to enjoin obedience to the powers that 
be ; and therefore it is expected that all our preachers and peo- 
ple, who may be under the British, or any other government, 
will behave themselves as peaceable and orderly subjects. 



20 GENERAL CONFERENCE. Ch. 1. 

XXV. Of a Christian Man's Oath. 

As we confess that vain and rash swearing 
is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus 
Christ and James his apostle; so we judge 
that the Christian religion doth not prohibit, 
but that a man may swear when the magis- 
trate requireth, in a cause of faith and charity, 
so it be done according to the prophet's teach- 
ing, in justice, judgment, and truth. 



SECTION III. 
Of the General and Annual Conferences. 

It is desired that all things be considered 
on these occasions as in the immediate pre- 
sence of God : that every person speak freely 
whatever is in his heart. 

Quest. 1. How may we best improve our 
time at the conferences ? 

Answ. 1. While we are conversing, let us 
have an especial care to set God always be- 
fore us. 

2. In the intermediate hours, let us redeem 
all the time we can for private exercises. 

3. Therein let us give ourselves to prayer 
for one another, and for a blessing on our 
labour. 






Sec. 3. GENERAL CONFERENCE. 21 

Of the General Conference. 

Quest. 2. Who shall compose the General 
Conference, and what are the regulations and 
powers belonging to it ? 

Ansro. 1. The General Conference shall be 
composed of one member for every twenty- 
one members of each annual conference, to 
be appointed either by seniority or choice, at 
the discretion of such annual conference : yet 
so that such representatives shall have tra- 
velled at least four full calendar years from 
the time that they were received on trial by 
an annual conference, and are in full connec- 
tion at the time of holding the conference. 

2. The General Conference shall meet on 
the first day of May, in the year of our Lord 
1812, in the city of New-York, and thencefor- 
ward on the first day of May once in four years 
perpetually, in such place or places as shall 
be fixed on by the General Conference from 
time to time : but the general superintendents, 
with or by the advice of all the annual con- 
ferences, or if there be no general superintend- 
ent, all the annual conferences respectively 
shall have power to call a General Conference, 
if they judge it necessary at any time. 

3. At all times when the General Confer- 
ence is met, it shall take two-thircte of the re- 



22 GENERAL CONFERENCE. Ch. 1. 

presentatives of all the annual conferences to 
make a quorum for transacting business. 

4. One of the general superintendents shall 
preside in the General Conference ; but in case 
no general superintendent be present, the 
General Conference shall choose a president 
pro tem. 

5. The General Conference shall have full 
powers to make rules and regulations for our 
Church, under the following limitations and 
restrictions, viz. : — 

1. The General Conference shall not revoke, 
alter, or change our articles of religion, nor 
establish any new standards or rules of doc- 
trine contrary to our present existing and 
established standards of doctrine. 

2. They shall not allow of more than one re- 
presentative for every fourteen members of 
the annual conference, nor allow of a less 
number than one for every thirty : provided, 
nevertheless, that when there shall be in 
any annual conference a fraction of two- 
thirds the number which shall be fixed for 
the ratio of representation, such annual con- 
ference shall be entitled to an additional 
delegate for such fraction; and provided, 
also, that no conference shall be denied the 
privilege of two delegates. 

3. They shall not change or alter any part or 



Sec. 3. GENERAL CONFERENCE. 2f3 

rule of our government, so as to do away 
episcopacy, or destroy the plan of our itine- 
rant general superintendency. 

4. They shall not revoke or change the general 
rules of the United Societies. 

5. They shall not do away the privileges of 
our ministers or preachers of trial by a com- 
mittee, and of an appeal : neither shall they 
do away the privileges of our members of 
trial before the society, or by a committee, 
and of an appeal. 

6. They shall not appropriate the produce of 
the Book Concern, nor of the Charter Fund, 
to any purpose other than for the benefit 
of the travelling, supernumerary, superan- 
nuated and worn-out preachers, their wives, 
widows, and children. Provided, neverthe- 
less, that upon the concurrent recommenda- 
tion of three-fourths of all the members of 
the several annual conferences, who shall 
be present and vote on such recommenda- 
tion, then a majority of two-thirds of the 
General Conference succeeding shall suffice 
to alter any of the above restrictions, ex- 
cepting the first article : and also, whenever 
such alteration or alterations shall have been 
first recommended by two-thirds of the 
General Conference, so soon as three- 
fourths of the members of all the annual 



24 ANNUAL CONFERENCES. CL 1. 

conferences shall have concurred as afore- 
said, such alteration or alterations shall take 
effect. 

Of the Annuul Conferences, 

Quest. 3. Who shall attend the yearly con- 
ferences ? 

Answ. All the travelling preachers who are 
in full connection, and those who are to be 
received into full connection. 

Quest. 4. Who shall appoint the times of 
holding the yearly conferences ? 

Answ. The bishops ; but they shall allow 
the annual conferences to sit a week at least. 

Quest. 5. Who shall appoint the places of 
holding the annual conferences ? 

Answ. Each annual conference shall ap- 
point the place of its own sitting. 

Quest. 6. What is the method wherein we 
usually proceed in the yearly conferences ? 

Answ. We inquire, 

1. What preachers are admitted on trial? 

2. Who remain on trial ? 

3. Who are admitted into full connection? 

4. Who are the deacons ? 

5. Who have been elected and ordained elders 
this year ? 

6. Who have been elected, by the suffrages 
of the General Conference, to exercise the 



SeC. 3. ANNUAL CONFERENCES. 25 

episcopal office, and superintend the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church in America ? 

7. Who have located this year ? 

8. Who are the supernumeraries ?* 

A supernumerary preacher, who refuses to 
attend to the work assigned him, unless in case 
of sickness, or other unavoidable cause or 
causes, shall not be allowed to exercise the 
functions of his office, nor even to preach 
among us ; nevertheless, the final determina- 
tion of the case shall be with the annual con- 
ference of which he is a member, who shall 
have power to acquit, suspend, locate, or ex- 
pel him, as the case may be. 

9. Who are the superannuated or worn-out 
preachers ? 

Every superannuated preacher, w T ho may 
reside without the bounds of the conference 
of which he is a member, shall annually for- 
ward to his conference a certificate of his 
Christian and ministerial conduct, together 
with an account of the number and circum- 
stances of his family, signed by the presiding 
elder of the district, or the preacher in charge 
of the circuit or station within whose bounds 

* A supernumerary preacher is one so worn out in the itinerant 
service as to be rendered incapable of preaching constantly ; but 
at the same time is willing to do any work in the ministry which 
the conference may direct, and his strength enable him to 
perform. 

2 



26 ANNUAL CONFERENCES. Ch. 1. 

he may reside ; without which, the conference 
shall not be required to allow his claim. 

10. Who have been expelled from the con- 
nection this year ? 

11. Who have withdrawn from the connection 
this year ? 

12. Are all the preachers blameless iij life and 
conversation ? 

13. Who have died this year? 

14. What numbers are in society ? 

15. What amounts are necessary for the 
superannuated preachers, and the widows 
and orphans of preachers, and to make 
up the deficiences of those who have not 
obtained their regular allowance on the 
circuits ? 

16. What has been collected on the foregoing 
accounts, and how has it been applied ? 

17. What has been contributed for the sup- 
port of missions, and what for the publication 
of Bibles, tracts, and Sunday-school books ? 

18. Where are the preachers stationed this 
year? 

19. Where and when shall our next confer- 
ence be held? 

Quest. 7. Is there any other business to be 
done in the yearly conferences ? 

Answ. The electing and ordaining of dea- 
cons and elders. 



Sec. 4. BISHOPS AJ*D THEIR DUTY. 27 

Quest. 8. Are there any other directions to 
be given concerning the yearly conferences ? 

Answ. There shall be thirty-three confer- 
ences in the year. See Second Part, Sec. 1. 

A record of the proceedings of each annual 
conference shall be kept by a secretary, chosen 
for that purpose, and shall be signed by the 
president and secretary ; and let a copy of the 
said record be sent to the General Conference. 



SECTION IV. 

Of the Election and Consecration of Bishops, and of 
their Duty. 

Quest. 1. How is a bishop to be constituted? 

Answ. By the election of the General Con- 
ference, and the laying on of the hands of 
three bishops, or at least of one bishop and 
two elders. 

Quest. 2. If by death, expulsion, or other- 
wise, there be no bishop remaining in our 
Church, what shall we do ? 

Answ. The General Conference shall elect 
a bishop ; and the elders, or any three of them, 
who shall be appointed by the General Con- 
ference for that purpose, shall ordain him ac- 
cording to our form of ordination. 

Quest. 3. What are the duties of a bishop ? 

Answ. 1. To preside in our conferences. 



28 BISHOPS AND THEIR DUTY. Ch. 1. 

2. To fix the appointments of the preachers 
for the several circuits, provided he shall not 
allow any preacher to remain in the same sta- 
tion more than two years successively ; except 
the presiding elders, the general editor, the 
general book steward and his assistant, the 
editor and assistant editor of the Christian 
Advocate and Journal, the corresponding sec- 
retaries, editors and agents at Cincinnati, the 
supernumerary, superannuated and worn-out 
preachers, missionaries among the Indians, 
missionaries to our people of colour and on 
foreign stations, chaplains to state prisons and 
military posts, those preachers that may be 
appointed to labour for the special benefit of 
seamen, also the preacher or preachers that 
may be stationed in the city of New-Orleans, 
and the presidents, principals, or teachers of 
seminaries of learning, which are or may be 
under our superintendence ; and also, when 
requested by an annual conference, to appoint 
a preacher for a longer time than two years 
to any seminary of learning not under our care. 
He shall have authority, when requested by 
an annual conference, to appoint an agent, 
whose duty it shall be to travel throughout 
the bounds of such conference, for the purpose 
of establishing and aiding sabbath schools, 
and distributing tracts, and also to appoint an 






Sec. 4. BISHOPS AND THEIR DUTY. 29 

agent or agents for the benefit of our literary 
institutions. 

3. In the intervals of the conferences, to 
change, receive, and suspend preachers, as 
necessity may require, and as the Discipline 
directs. 

4. To travel through the connection at large. 

5. To oversee the spiritual and temporal 
business of our Church. 

6. To ordain bishops, elders, and deacons. 

7. To decide all questions of law in an 
annual conference, subject to an appeal to 
the General Conference; but in all cases 
the application of law shall be with the con- 
ference. 

8. The bishops may, when they judge it 
necessary, unite two or more circuits or sta- 
tions together, without affecting their separate 
financial interests, or pastoral duties. 

Quest, 4. To whom is a bishop amenable 
for his conduct ? 

Answ. To the General Conference, who 
have power to expel him for improper con- 
duct, if they see it necessary. 

Quest. 5. What provision shall be made for 
the trial of a bishop, if he should be accused 
of immorality in the interval of the General 
Conference ? 

Answ. If a bishop be accused of immo- 



30 BISHOPS AND THEIR DUTY. Ch. 1. 

rality, three travelling elders shall call upon 
him, and examine him on the subject ; and if 
the three elders verily believe that the bishop 
is guilty of the crime, they shall call to their 
aid two presiding elders from two districts in 
the neighbourhood of that where the crime 
was committed, each of which presiding elders 
shall bring with him two elders, or an elder 
and a deacon. The above mentioned nine 
persons shall form a conference, to examine 
into the charge brought against the bishop : 
and if two-thirds of them verily believe him 
to be guilty of the crime laid to his charge, 
they shall have authority to suspend the bishop 
till the ensuing General Conference, and the 
districts shall be regulated in the mean time 
as is provided in the third and fifth sections ; 
but no accusation shall be received against 
a bishop except it be delivered in writing, 
signed by those who are to prove the crime : 
and a copy of the accusation shall be given 
to the accused bishop. 

Quest. 6. If a bishop cease from travelling at 
large among the people, shall he still exercise 
his episcopal office among us in any degree ? 

Answ. If he cease from travelling without 
the consent of the General Conference, he 
shall not thereafter exercise the episcopal 
office in our Church. 



Sec. 5. PRESIDING ELDERS. 31 

SECTION V. 

Of the Presiding Elders, and of their Duty. 

Quest. 1. By whom are the presiding elders 
to be chosen ? 

Answ. By the bishops. 

Quest. 2. What are the duties of a presiding 
elder? 

Answ. 1. To travel through his appointed 
district. 

2. In the absence of the bishop, to take 
charge of all the elders, and deacons, travel- 
ling and local preachers, and exhorters in his 
district. 

3. To change, receive, and suspend preach- 
ers in his district during the intervals of the 
conferences, and in the absence of the bishop, 
as the Discipline directs. 

4. In the absence of a bishop, to preside in 
the conference ; but in case there are two or 
more presiding elders belonging to one con- 
ference, the bishop or bishops may, by letter 
or otherwise, appoint the president ; but if no 
appointment be made, or if the presiding elder 
appointed do not attend, the conference shall 
in either of these cases elect the president by 
ballot, without a debate, from among the pre- 
siding elders. 



32 PRESIDING ELDERS. Ch. 1. 

5. To be present, as far as practicable, at 
all the quarterly meetings ; and to call to- 
gether, at each quarterly meeting, a quarterly 
meeting conference, consisting of all the tra- 
velling and local preachers, exhorters, stew- 
ards, and leaders of the circuit, and none else, 
to hear complaints, and to receive and try 
appeals. The quarterly meeting conference 
shall appoint a secretary to take down the 
proceedings thereof, in a book kept by one of 
the stewards of the circuit for that purpose. 

6. To oversee the spiritual and temporal 
business of the Church in his district, and to 
promote, by all proper means, the cause of 
missions and Sunday schools, and the publi- 
cation, at our own press, of Bibles, tracts, and 
Sunday-school books ; and carefully to in- 
quire, at each quarterly meeting conference, 
whether the rules respecting the instruction 
of children have been faithfully observed. 

7. To take care that every part of our Dis- 
cipline be enforced in his district. And to 
decide all questions of law in a quarterly 
meeting conference, subject to an appeal to 
the president of the next annual conference ; 
but in all cases the application of law shall 
be with the conference. 

8. To attend the bishops when present in 
his district ; and to give them, when absent, 



Sec. 5. PRESIDING ELDERS. 33 

all necessary information, by letter, of the 
state of his district. 

Quest 3. By whom are the presiding elders 
to be stationed and changed ? 

Answ. By the bishops. 

Quest. 4. How long may the bishops allow 
an elder to preside in the same district? 

Answ. For any term not exceeding four 
years successively. 

Quest, 5. Shall the presiding elder have 
power to employ a preacher who has been 
rejected at the previous annual conference ? 

Answ. He shall not, unless the conference 
should give him liberty under certain conditions. 

Quest. 6. How shall the presiding elders be 
supported ? 

Answ. If there be a surplus of the public 
money in one or more circuits in his district, 
he shall receive such surplus; provided, he 
do not receive more than his annual allow- 
ance. In case of a deficiency in his allow- 
ance, after such surplus is paid him, or if 
there be no surplus, he shall share with the 
preachers of his district in proportion with 
what they have respectively received, so that 
he receives no more than the amount of his 
allowance upon the whole: he shall be ac- 
countable to the annual conference for what 
he receives as his allowance. 

2* 



34 TRAVELLING ELDERS. Ch. 1. 

SECTION VI. 

Of the Election and Ordination of travelling Elders, and 
of their Duty. 

Quest 1. How is an elder constituted? 

Ansrv. By the election of a majority of the 
yearly conference, and by the laying on of 
the hands of a bishop, and some of the elders 
that are present. 

Quest. 2. What is the duty of a travelling 
elder ? 

Answ. 1. To administer baptism and the 
Lord's supper, and to perform the office of 
matrimony, and all parts of divine worship. 

2. To do all the duties of a travelling 
preacher. 

No elder that ceases to travel, without the 
consent of the yearly conference, certified un- 
der the hand of the president of the confer- 
ence, except in case of sickness, debility, or 
other unavoidable circumstance, shall, on any 
account, exercise the peculiar functions of his 
office, or even be allowed to preach among 
us : nevertheless, the final determination in 
all such cases is with the yearly conference. 



Sec. 7. TRAVELLING BEACONS 35 

SECTION VII. 

Of the Election and Ordination of travelling Deacons, and 
of their Duty. 

Quest. 1. How is a travelling deacon con- 
stituted ? 

Answ. By the election of the majority of 
the yearly conference, and the laying on of 
the hands of a bishop. 

Quest. 2. What is the duty of a travelling 
deacon ? 

Answ. 1. To baptize, and perform the office 
of matrimony, in the absence of the elder. 

2. To assist the elder in administering the 
Lord's supper. 

3. To do all the duties of a travelling 
preacher. 

Quest. 3. What shall be the time of proba- 
tion of a travelling deacon for the office of an 
elder? 

Answ. Every travelling deacon shall exer- 
cise that office for two years, before he be 
eligible to the office of elder ; except in the 
case of missions, when the annual confer- 
ences shall have authority to elect for the 
elder's office sooner, if they judge it expe- 
dient. 

No deacon who ceases to travel without 
the consent of the annual conference, certi- 



36 RECEIVING PREACHERS, Ch- 1. 

fied under the hand of the president of the 
conference, except in case of sickness, de- 
bility, or other unavoidable circumstances, 
shall, on any account, exercise the peculiar 
functions of his office, or even be allowed to 
preach among us : nevertheless, the final de- 
termination in all such cases is with the an- 
nual conference. 

Provided always, that when a preacher 
shall have passed his examination, and been 
admitted into full connection, and elected to 
deacon's office, but fails of his ordination 
through the absence of the bishop, his eligi- 
bility to the office of elder shall run from 
the time of his election to the office of a 
deacon. 



SECTION VIII. 

Of the Reception of Preachers from the Wesley an Connec- 
tion, and from other Denominations. 

Quest. 1. In what manner shall we receive 
those ministers who may come to us from the 
Wesleyan connection in Europe or Canada? 

Answ. If they come to us properly accre- 
dited from either the British, Irish, or Ca- 
nada conference, they may be received ac- 
cording to such credentials, provided they give 
satisfaction to an annual conference of their 






Sec. 8. FROM OTHER DENOMINATIONS. 37 

willingness to conform to our Church govern- 
ment and usages. 

Quest. 2. How shall we receive those mi- 
nisters who may offer to unite with us from 
other Christian Churches ? 

Ansrv. Those ministers of other evangeli- 
cal Churches, who may desire to unite with 
our Church, whether as local or itinerant, may 
be received according to our usages, on con- 
dition of their taking upon them our ordina- 
tion vows, without the reimposition of hands, 
giving satisfaction to an annual conference of 
their being in orders, and of their agreement 
with us in doctrine, discipline, government, 
and usages ; provided the conference is also 
satisfied with their gifts, grace, and usefulness. 
Whenever any such minister is received, he 
shall be furnished with a certificate, signed by 
one of our bishops, in the following words, viz. : 

This is to certify, that has been 

admitted into conference as a tra- 

velling preacher, [or has been admitted as a 
local preacher on circuit,] he having 

been ordained to the office of a deacon, (or 
an elder, as the case may be,) according to 
the usages of the Church, of which 

he has been a member and minister ; and he 
is hereby authorized to exercise the functions 
pertaining to his office in the Methodist Epis- 



38 "RECEIVING PREACHERS, Ch. 1. 

copal Church, so long as his life and conversa- 
tion are such as become the Gospel of Christ. 

Given under my hand and seal, at 
this day of in the year of our Lord, 

Quest. 3. How shall we receive preachers 
of other denominations who are not in orders ? 

Answ. They may be received as licentiates, 
provided they give satisfaction to a quarterly, 
or an annual conference, that they are suita- 
ble persons to exercise the office, and of their 
agreement with the doctrines, discipline, go- 
vernment, and usages of our Church. 



SECTION IX. 

Of the Method of receiving travelling Preachers, and of 
their Duty. 

Quest. 1. How is a preacher to be received? 
Answ. 1. By the annual conference. 

2. In the interval of the conference, by a 
bishop, or the presiding elder of the district, 
until the sitting of the conference. 

3. It shall be the duty of the bishops, or of 
a committee which they may appoint at each 
annual conference, to point out a course of 
reading and study proper to be pursued by 
candidates for the ministry ; and the presiding 
elder, whenever such are presented to him, 
shall direct them to those studies which have 






Sec. 9. AND THEIR DUTY. 39 

been thus recommended. And before any- 
such candidate is received into full connec- 
tion, he shall give satisfactory evidence re- 
specting his knowledge of those particular 
subjects which have been recommended to 
his consideration. 

4. When a preacher's name is not printed 
in the Minutes, he must receive a written 
license from a bishop or presiding elder. 

Quest. 2. What is the duty of a preacher? 

Answ. 1. To preach. 

2. To meet the societies, classes, and gene- 
ral bands. 

3. To visit the sick. 

4. To preach in the morning, where he 
can get hearers. We recommend morning 
preaching at five o'clock in the summer, and 
six in the winter, wherever it is practicable. 

Quest. 3. What are the directions given to 
a preacher? 

Answ, 1. Be diligent. Never be unem- 
ployed : never be triflingly employed. Never 
trilie away time ; neither spend any more time 
at any place than is strictly necessary. 

2. Be serious. Let your motto be, Holi- 
ness to the Lord. Avoid all lightness, jesting, 
and foolish talking. 

3. Converse sparingly, and conduct your- 
self prudently with women. 1 Tim. v, 2. 



40 RECEIVING PREACHERS, Ch. 1. 

4. Take no step toward marriage without 
first consulting with your brethren. 

5. Believe evil of no one without good evi- 
dence ; unless you see it done, take heed how 
you credit it. Put the best construction on 
every thing. You know the judge is always 
supposed to be on the prisoner's side. 

6. Speak evil of no one ; because your 
word, especially, would eat as doth a canker. 
Keep your thoughts within your own breast, 
till you come to the person concerned. 

7. Tell every one under your care what 
you think wrong in his conduct and temper, 
and that lovingly and plainly as soon as may 
be : else it will fester in your heart. Make 
all haste to cast the fire out of your bosom. 

8. Avoid all affectation. A preacher of the 
Gospel is the servant of all. 

9. Be ashamed of nothing but sin. 

10. Be punctual. Do every thing exactly 
at the time. And do not mend our rules, but 
keep them; not for wrath but conscience' 
sake. 

11. You have nothing to do but to save 
souls ; therefore spend and be spent in this 
work ; and go always not only to those that 
want you, but to those that want you most. 

Observe ! it is not your business only to 
preach so many times, and to take care of this 






Sec. 9. AND THEIR DUTY. 41 

or that society ; but to save as many as you 
can ; to bring as many sinners as you can to 
repentance, and with all your power to build 
them up in that holiness without which they 
cannot see the Lord. And remember! — a 
Methodist preacher is to mind every point, 
great and small, in the Methodist Discipline ! 
Therefore you will need to exercise all the 
sense and grace you have. 

12. Act in all things not according to your 
own will, but as a son in the Gospel. As 
such, it is your duty to employ your time in 
the manner which we direct: in preaching, 
and visiting from house to house ; in reading, 
meditation, and prayer. Above all, if you 
labour with us in the Lord's vineyard, it is 
needful you should do that part of the work 
which we advise, at those times and places 
which we judge most for his glory. 

Quest. 4. What method do we use in re- 
ceiving a preacher at the conference ? 

Answ. After solemn fasting and prayer, 
every person proposed shall then be asked, 
before the conference, the following questions, 
(with any others which may be thought neces- 
sary,) viz.: — Have you faith in Christ? Are 
you going on to perfection ? Do you expect 
to be made perfect in love in this life ? Are 
you groaning after it? Are you resolved to 



42 RECEIVING PREACHERS, Ch. 1. 

devote yourself wholly to God and his work ? 
Do you know the rules of society? — of the 
bands? Do you keep them? Do you con- 
stantly attend the sacrament ? Have you read 
the form of discipline? Are you willing to 
conform to it ? Have you considered the rules 
of a preacher, especially the first, tenth, and 
twelfth? Will you keep them for conscience' 
sake ? Are you determined to employ all your 
time in the work of God? Will you endeavour 
not to speak too long or too loud? Will you" 
diligently instruct the children in every place ? 
Will you visit from house to house ? Will you 
recommend fasting, or abstinence, both by 
precept and example ? Are you in debt ? 

We may then, if he give us satisfaction, 
receive him as a probationer, by giving him 
the form of discipline, inscribed thus : — To 
A. B. " You think it your duty to call sinners 
to repentance. Make full proof hereof and we 
shall rejoice to receive you as a fellow-labourer" 
Let him then carefully read and weigh what is 
contained therein ; and if he have any doubt, 
it may be removed. Observe ! taking on trial 
is entirely different from admitting a preacher 
into full connection. One on trial may be 
either admitted or rejected, without doing him 
any wrong : — otherwise it would be no trial at 
all. Let every one that has the charge of a 



Sec. 9. AND THEIR DUTY. 43 

circuit explain this to those who are on trial, 
as well as to those w T ho are in future to be 
proposed for trial. 

But no one shall be received on trial unless 
he first procure a recommendation from the 
quarterly meeting of his circuit. After he has 
been employed two successive years in the 
regular itinerant work, which is to commence 
from his being received on trial at the annual 
conference, and being approved by the annual 
conference, and examined by the president of 
the conference, he may be received into full 
connection, by giving him the form of disci- 
pline, inscribed thus : — "As long as you freelij 
consent to, and earnestly endeavour to walk by 
these rules, we shall rejoice to acknowledge you 
as a fellow-labour erP 

If any preacher absent himself from his 
circuit, the presiding elder shall, as far as 
possible, fill his place with another preacher, 
who shall be paid for his labours out of the 
allowance of the absent preacher, in propor- 
tion to the usual allowance. 

N. B. Whenever a preacher on trial is se- 
lected by the bishop for a mission, he may, if 
elected by an annual conference, ordain him 
a deacon before his probation ends, and a 
missionary employed on a foreign mission 
may be admitted into full connection, if re- 



44 RECEIVING PREACHERS, ETC. Ch. 1. 

commended by the superintendent of the mis- 
sion where he labours, without being present 
at the annual conference for examination. 

At each annual conference, those who are 
received on trial, or are admitted into full 
connection, shall be asked whether they are 
willing to devote themselves to the missionary 
work ; and a list of the names of all those 
who are willing to do so shall be taken and 
reported to the corresponding secretary of the 
Missionary Society; and all such shall be 
considered as ready and willing to be em- 
ployed as missionaries whenever called for 
by either of the bishops. 

It shall be the duty of all our missionaries, 
except those w T ho are appointed to labour for 
the benefit of the slaves, to form their circuits 
into auxiliary missionary societies, and to 
make regular quarterly and class collections 
wherever practicable, and report the amount 
collected every three months, either by endor- 
sing it on their drafts, or by transmitting the 
money to the treasurer of the parent society. 

It shall be the duty of each annual con- 
ference to examine strictly into the state of 
the domestic missions within its bounds, and 
to allow none to remain on the list of its 
missions which, in the judgment of the con- 
ference, is able to support itself. 



Sec. 10. DUTIES OF THOSE, ETC. 45 

SECTION X. 
Of the Duties of those who have the charge of Circuits. 

Quest. 1. What are the duties of the elder, 
deacon, or preacher, who has the special 
charge of a circuit ? 

Answ. 1. To see that the other preachers 
in his circuit behave well, and want nothing. 

2. To renew the tickets for the admission 
of members into love-feast quarterly, and re- 
gulate the bands. 

3. To meet the stewards and leaders as 
often as possible. 

4. To appoint all the leaders, and change 
them when he sees it necessary. 

5. To receive, try, and expel members, ac- 
cording to the form of discipline. 

6. To hold watch-nights and love-feasts. 

7. To hold quarterly meetings in the ab- 
sence of the presiding elder. 

8. To take care that every society be duly 
supplied with books. 

9. To take an exact account of the mem- 
bers in society in their respective circuits and 
stations, keeping the names of all local elders, 
deacons, and preachers, properly distinguish- 
ed, and deliver in such account to the annual 
conference, that their number may be printed 
in the Minutes. 



46 DUTIES OF THOSE WHO Ch. 1. 

10. To give -an account of his circuit every 
quarter to his presiding elder. 

11. To meet the men and women apart, in 
the large societies, once a quarter, wherever 
it is practicable. 

12. To overlook the accounts of all the 
stewards. 

13. To appoint a person to receive the 
quarterly collection in the classes. 

14. To see that public collections be made 
quarterly, if need be. 

15. To encourage the support of missions 
and Sunday schools, and the publication and 
distribution of Bibles, tracts, and Sunday 
school books, by forming societies and making 
collections for these objects in such way and 
manner as the annual conference to which he 
belongs shall from time to time direct. 

16. To lay before the quarterly conference, 
at each quarterly meeting, as far as practi- 
cable, to be entered on its journal, a w r ritten 
statement of the number and state of the 
Sunday schools in the circuit or station, and 
to report the same, together with the amount 
raised for the support of missions, and for 
the publication of Bibles, tracts, and Sunday 
school books, to his annual conference. 

17. To raise a yearly subscription in those 
circuits that can bear it, for building churches, 



Sec. 10. HAVE CHAIIGE OF CIRCUITS. 47 

and paying the debts of those which have 
been already erected. 

18. To choose a committee of lay members 
to make a just application of the money where 
it is most wanted. 

Quest. 2. What other directions shall we 
give him? 

Answ. Several. 

1. To take a regular catalogue of the so- 
cieties in towns and cities, as they live in the 
streets. 

2. To leave his successor a particular ac- 
count of the circuit, including an account of 
the subscribers for our periodicals. 

3 To see that every band leader have the 
rules of the bands. 

4. To enforce, vigorously, but calmly, all 
the rules of the society. 

5. As soon as there are four men or wo- 
men believers in any place, to put them into 
a band. 

6. To suffer no love-feast to last above an 
hour and a half. 

7. To warn all from time to time, that none 
are to remove from one circuit to another, 
without a note of recommendation from the 
preacher of the circuit in these words : — "A. 
B., the bearer, has been an acceptable member of 
our Church in C. ;" and to inform them that, 



48 DUTIES OF THOSE WHO Ch. 1. 

without such a certificate, they will not be re- 
ceived into the Church in other places. 

8. To recommend everywhere decency and 
cleanliness. 

9. To read the rules of the society, with 
the aid of the other preachers, once a year 
in every congregation, and once a quarter in 
every society. 

10. On any dispute between two or more 
of the members of our Church, concerning 
the payment of debts, or otherwise, which 
cannot be settled by the parties concerned, 
the preacher who has the charge of the cir- 
cuit shall inquire into the circumstances of 
the case ; and shall recommend to the con- 
tending parties a reference, consisting of one 
arbiter chosen by the plaintiff, and another 
chosen by the defendant ; which two arbiters 
so chosen shall nominate the third ; the three 
arbiters being members of our Church. 

But if one of the parties be dissatisfied with 
the judgment given, such party may apply to 
the ensuing quarterly meeting conference of 
the circuit, for allowance to have a second ar- 
bitration appointed ; and if the quarterly meet- 
ing conference see sufficient reason, they shall 
grant a second arbitration, in which case each 
party shall choose two arbiters, and the four 
arbiters shall choose a fifth, the judgment of 






Sec. 10. HAVE CHARGE OF CIRCUITS. 49 

the majority of whom shall be final ; and any 
person refusing to abide by such judgment 
shall be excluded the Church. 

And if any member of our Church shall re- 
fuse, in cases of debt or other disputes, to refer 
the matter to arbitration, when recommended 
by him who has the charge of the circuit, or 
shall enter into a lawsuit with another mem- 
ber before these measures are taken, he shall 
be expelled, unless the case be of such a na- 
ture as to require and justify a process at law. 

The preachers who have the oversight of 
circuits are required to execute all our rules 
fully and strenuously against all frauds, and 
particularly against dishonest insolvencies ; 
suffering none to remain in our Church on 
any account who are found guilty of any 
fraud. 

To prevent scandal, when any of our mem- 
bers fail in business, or contract debts which 
they are not able to pay, let two or three judi- 
cious members of the Church inspect the ac- 
counts, contracts, and circumstances of the 
case of the supposed delinquent; and if he 
have behaved dishonestly, or borrowed money 
without a probability of paying, let him be 
expelled. 

Whenever a complaint is made against any 
member of our Church for non-payment of 

3 



50 DUTIES OF THOSE, ETC. Ch. 1. 

debt; when the accounts are adjusted, and 
the amount ascertained, the preacher having 
the charge shall call the debtor before a com- 
mittee of at least three, to show cause why- 
he does not make payment. The committee 
shall determine what farther time shall be 
granted him for payment, and what security, 
if any, shall be given for payment; and in 
case the debtor refuses to comply, he shall be 
expelled ; but in such case he may appeal to 
the quarterly meeting conference, and their 
decision shall be final. And in case the cre- 
ditor complains that justice is not done him, 
he may lay his grievance before the quarterly 
meeting conference, and their decision shall 
be final ; and if the creditor refuse to comply, 
he shall be expelled. 

11. The preacher who has the charge of a 
circuit shall appoint prayer meetings wherever 
he can in his circuit. 

12. He shall take care that a fast be held 
in every society in his circuit, on the Friday 
preceding every quarterly meeting : and that 
a memorandum of it be written on all the class 
papers. 

13. To license such persons as he may 
judge proper to officiate as exhorters in the 
Church, provided no person shall be so 
licensed without the consent of the leaders' 



Sec. 11. TRIAL OF PREACHERS. 51 

meeting, or of the class of which he is a 
member, where no leaders' meeting is held ; 
and the exhorters so authorized shall be sub- 
ject to the annual examination of character 
in the quarterly meeting conference, and have 
their license annually renewed by the presid- 
ing elder, or the preacher having the charge, 
if approved by the quarterly meeting confer- 
ence. 



SECTION XI. 

Of the Trial of those who think they are moved by the Holy 
Ghost to preach. 

Quest. How shall we try those who profess 
to be moved by the Holy Ghost to preach? 

Ansrv. 1. Let the following questions be 
asked, viz., Do they know God as a pardon- 
ing God ? Have they the love of God abid* 
ing in them? Do they desire nothing but 
God ? And are they holy in all manner of 
conversation ? 

2. Have they gifts (as well as grace) for 
the work ? Have they (in some tolerable de- 
gree) a clear, sound understanding, a right 
judgment in the things of God, a just concep- 
tion of salvation by faith? And has God 
given them any degree of utterance? Do 
they speak justly, readily, clearly ? 



52 METHOD OF PREACHING. Ch. 1. 

3. Have they fruit ? Are any truly con- 
vinced of sin, and converted to God by their 
preaching? 

As long as these three marks concur in 
any one, we believe he is called of God to 
preach. These we receive as sufficient proof 
that he is moved by the Holy Ghost. 



SECTION XII. 

Of the Matter and^Manner of Preaching, and of other public 
Exercises. 

Quest. 1. What is the best general method 
of preaching ? 

Ansrv. 1. To convince : 2. To offer Christ: 
3. To invite : 4. To build up : And to do this 
in some measure in every sermon. 

Quest. 2. "What is the most effectual way 
of preaching Christ ? 

Answ. The most effectual way of preaching 
Christ is, to preach him in all his offices ; and 
to declare his law, as well as his Gospel, both 
to believers and unbelievers. Let us strongly 
and closely insist upon inward and outward 
holiness in all its branches. 

Quest 3. Are there any smaller advices 
which might be of use to us ? 

Answ. Perhaps these : 1. Be sure never to 
disappoint a congregation. 2. Begin at the 






Sec. 13. DUTY OF PREACHERS. 53 

time appointed. 3. Let your whole deport- 
ment be serious, weighty, and solemn. 4. Al- 
ways suit your subject to your audience. 
5. Choose the plainest text you can. 6. Take 
care not to ramble, but keep to your text, and 
make out what you take in hand. 7. Take 
care of any thing awkward or affected, 
either in your gesture, phrase, or pronuncia- 
tion. 8. Do not usually pray, extempore, 
above eight or ten minutes (at most) without 
intermission. 9. Frequently read and enlarge 
upon a portion of Scripture ; and let young 
preachers often exhort without taking a text. 
10. Always avail yourself of the great festi- 
vals, by preaching on the occasion. 



SECTION XIII. 

Of the Duty of Preachers to God, themselves, and cms 
another. 

Quest- 1. How shall a preacher be qualified 
for his charge ? 

Ansrv. By walking closely with God, and 
having his work greatly at heart : and by un- 
derstanding and loving discipline, ours in par- 
ticular. 

Quest. 2. Do we sufficiently watch over each 
other ? 

Answ. We do not. Should we not frequently 






54 DUTY OF PREACHERS. Ch. 1. 

ask each other, Do you walk closely with God? 
Have you now fellowship with the Father and 
the Son? At what hour do you rise? Do 
you punctually observe the morning and eve- 
ning hours of retirement ? Do you spend the 
day in the manner which the conference ad- 
vises? Do you converse seriously, usefully, 
and closely ? To be more particular : Do you 
use all the means of grace yourself, and en- 
force the use of them on all other persons ? 
They are either instituted or prudential. 
I. The instituted are, 

1. Prayer: private, family, and public ; con- 
sisting of deprecation, petition, intercession, 
and thanksgiving. Do you use each of these ? 
Do you forecast daily, wherever you are, to 
secure time for private devotion? Do you 
practise it everywhere? Do you ask every- 
where, Have you family prayer ? Do you ask 
individuals, Do you use private prayer every 
morning and evening in particular ? 

2. Searching the Scriptures, by 

(1) Reading; constantly, some part of every 
day : regularly, all the Bible in order ; care- 
fully, with notes ; seriously, with prayer be- 
fore and after; fruitfully, immediately prac- 
tising what you learn there ? 

(2) Meditating : At set times ? By rule ? 

(3) Hearing: Every opportunity? With 



Sec. 13. DUTY OF PREACHERS. 55 

prayer before, at, after? Have you a Bible 
always about you ? 

3. The Lord's supper : Do you use this at 
every opportunity ? With solemn prayer before ? 
With earnest and deliberate self-devotion ? 

4. Fasting : Do you use as much abstinence 
and fasting every week as your health, strength, 
and labour will permit ? 

5. Christian conference : Are you convinced 
how important and how difficult it is to order 
your conversation aright? Is it always in 
grace ? Seasoned with salt ? Meet to minister 
grace to the hearers ? Do you not converse 
too long at a time ? Is not an hour commonly 
enough ? Would it not be well always to have 
a determinate end in view ? And to pray be- 
fore and after it ? 

II. Prudential means we may use either as 
Christians, as Methodists, or as preachers. 

1. As Christians : What particular rules 
have you in order to grow in grace ? What 
arts of holy living ? 

2. As Methodists : Do you never miss your 
class or band ? 

3. As preachers : Have you thoroughly 
considered your duty ? And do you make a 
conscience of executing every part of it? Do 
you meet every society? Also, the leaders 
and bands ? 



56 DUTY OF PREACHERS. Ch. 1. 

These means may be used without fruit. 
But there are some means which cannot; 
namely, watching, denying ourselves, taking 
up our cross, exercise of the presence of God. 

1. Do you steadily watch against the world? 
Yourself ? Your besetting sin ? 

2. Do you deny yourself every useless plea- 
sure of sense ? Imagination ? Honour ? Are 
you temperate in all things ? Instance in food : 
(1) Do you use only that kind and that degree 
which is best both for body and soul ? Do you 
see the necessity of this ? (2) Do you eat no 
more at each meal than is necessary ? Are 
you not heavy or drowsy after dinner? (3) Do 
you use only that kind, and that degree of 
drink, which is best both for your body and 
soul ? (4) Do you choose and use water for 
your common drink? And only take wine 
medicinally or sacramentally ? 

3. "Wherein do you take up your cross 
daily? Do you cheerfully bear your cross, 
however grievous to nature, as a gift of God, 
and labour to profit thereby ? 

4. Do you endeavour to set God always be- 
fore you ? To see his eye continually fixed 
upon you ? Never can you use these means 
but a blessing will ensue. And the more you 
use them, the more you will grow in grace. 



Sec. 15. VISITING FROM, ETC. 57 

SECTION XIV. 

Rules by which we should continue or desist from preaching 
at any Place. 

Quest. 1. Is it advisable for us to preach in 
as many places as we can, without forming 
any societies ? 

Answ. By no means. We have made the 
trial in various places ; and that for a con- 
siderable time. But all the seed has fallen 
by the way side. There is scarce any fruit 
remaining. 

Quest. 2. Where should we endeavour to 
preach most ? 

Answ. 1. Where there is the greatest num- 
ber of quiet and willing hearers. 

2. Where there is most fruit. 

Quest. 3. Ought we not diligently to ob- 
serve in what places God is pleased at any 
time to pour out his Spirit more abundantly? 

Answ. We ought : and at that time to send 
more labourers than usual into that part of the 
harvest. 



SECTION xv. 
Of visiting from House to House, guarding against those 
Things that are so common to Professors, and enforcing 
practical Religion. 

Quest 1. How can we farther assist those 
under our care ? 

3* 



58 VISITING FROM Ch. 1. 

Answ. By instructing them at their own 
houses. "What unspeakable need is there of 
this ! The world says, " The Methodists are 
7io better than other people" This is not true 
in the general : but, 1. Personal religion, either 
toward God or man, is too superficial among 
us. We can but just touch on a few par- 
ticulars. How little faith is there among us ! 
How little communion with God, how little 
living in heaven, walking in eternity, deadness 
to every creature ! How much love of the 
world ! Desire of pleasure, of ease, of getting 
money ! How little brotherly love ! What 
continual judging one another ! What gossip- 
ping, evil speaking, tale bearing ! What want 
of moral honesty ! To instance only one par- 
ticular; who does as he would be done by in 
buying and selling ? 

2. Family religion is wanting in many 
branches. And what avails public preaching 
alone, though we could preach like angels? 
We must, yea, every travelling preacher must 
instruct the people from house to house. Till 
this be done, and that in good earnest, the 
Methodists will be no better. 

Our religion is not sufficiently deep, univer- 
sal, uniform : but superficial, partial, uneven. 
It will be so till we spend half as much time 
in this visiting, as we now do in talking use- 



Sec. 15. HOUSE TO HOUSE. 59 

lessly. Can we find a better method of doing 
this than Mr. Baxter's ? If not, let us adopt it 
without delay. His whole tract, entitled Gildas 
Salvianus, is well worth a careful perusal. 
Speaking of this visiting from house to house, 
he says, (p. 351,) " We shall find many hin- 
derances, both in ourselves and the people." 

L In ourselves there is much dulness and 
laziness, so that there will be much ado to get 
us to be faithful in the work. 

2. We have a base, man-pleasing temper, 
so that we let them perish rather than lose 
their love : we let them go quietly to hell, lest 
we should offend them. 

3. Some of us have a foolish bashfulness. 
We know not how to begin, and blush to con- 
tradict the devil. 

4. But the greater hinderance is weakness 
of faith. Our whole motion is weak, because 
the spring of it is weak. 

5. Lastlv, we are unskilful in the work. 
How few know how to deal with men, so as 
to get within them, and suit all our discourse 
to their several conditions and tempers : to 
choose the fittest subjects, and follow them 
with a holy mixture of seriousness, terror, love, 
and meekness ? 

But undoubtedly this private application is 
implied in those solemn words of the apostle : 



60 VISITING FROM Ch. 1. 

" I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus 
Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead 
at his appearing, preach the word ; be instant 
in season, out of season: reprove, rebuke, 
exhort, with all long suffering." 

O brethren, if we could but set this work 
on foot in all our societies, and prosecute it 
zealously, what glory would redound to God ! 
If the common lukewarmness were banished, 
and every shop, and every house, busied in 
speaking of the word and works of God, surely 
God would dwell in our habitations, and make 
us his delight. 

And this is absolutely necessary to the wel- 
fare of our people, some of whom neither re- 
pent nor believe to this day. Look round, 
and see how many of them are still in ap- 
parent danger of damnation. And how can 
you walk and talk, and be merry with such 
people, when you know their case? When 
you look them in the face, you should break 
forth into tears, as the prophet did when he 
looked upon Hazael, and then set on them 
with the most vehement exhortations. O, for 
God's sake, and the sake of poor souls, bestir 
yourselves, and spare no pains that may con- 
duce to their salvation ! 

What cause have we to bleed before the 
Lord that we have so long neglected this 



Sec. 15. HOUSE TO HOUSE. 61 

good work ! If we had but engaged in it 
sooner, how many more might have been 
brought to Christ ! And how much holier 
and happier might our societies have been 
before now ! And why might we not have 
done it sooner? There were many hinder- 
ances : and so there always will be. But the 
greatest hinderance is in ourselves, in our 
littleness of faith and love. 

But it is objected, I. " This will take up 
so much time, we shall not have leisure to 
follow our studies." We answer, 1. Gaining 
knowledge is a good thing, but saving souls 
is a better. 2. By this very thing you will 
gain the most excellent knowledge, that of 
God and eternity. 3. You will have time for 
gaining other knowledge too. Only sleep no 
more than you need ; " and never be idle, or 
triflingly employed." But, 4. If you can do 
but one, let your studies alone. We ought to 
throw by all the libraries in the world, rather 
than be guilty of the loss of one soul. 

It is objected, II. "The people will not 
submit to it." If some will not, others will. 
And the success with them will repay all your 
labour. O let us herein follow the example 
of St. Paul! 1. For our general business, 
Serving the Lord with all humility of mind: 
2. Our special work, Take heed to yourselves, 



62 VISITING FROM Ch. 1. 

and to all the flock : 3. Our doctrine, Repent- 
ance toward God, and faith toward our Lord 
Jesus Christ : 4. The place, I have taught you 
publicly, and from house to house: 5. The 
object and manner of teaching, I ceased not 
to warn every one, night and day, with tears : 
6. His innocence and self-denial herein, I have 
coveted no maris silver or gold: 7. His patience, 
Neither count I my life dear unto myself And 
among all other motives, let these be ever 
before our eyes : 1. The Church of God, 
which he hath purchased with his own blood : 
2. Grievous wolves shall enter in; yea, of your- 
selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things. 

Write this upon your hearts, and it will do 
you more good than twenty years' study. 
Then you will have no time to spare : you 
will have work enough. Then likewise no 
preacher will stay with us who is as salt that 
has lost its savour. For to such, this employ- 
ment would be mere drudgery. And in order 
to it, you will have need of all the knowledge 
you can procure, and grace you can attain. 

The sum is, Go into every house in course, 
and teach every one therein, young and old, 
to be Christians inwardly and outwardly; 
make every particular plain to their under- 
standings; fix it in their minds; write it on 
their hearts. In order to this, there must be 



Sec. 15. HOUSE TO HOUSE. 63 

line upon line, precept upon precept. What 
patience, what love, what knowledge is requi- 
site for this ! We must needs do this, were it 
only to avoid idleness. Do we not loiter away 
many hours in every week? Each try him- 
self: no idleness is consistent with a growth 
in grace. Nay, without exactness in redeem- 
ing time, you cannot retain the grace you re- 
ceive in justification. 

Quest. 2. Why are we not more holy? Why 
do we not live in eternity? Walk with God 
all the day long? Why are we not all devoted 
to God? Breathing the whole spirit of mis- 
sionaries ? 

Answ. Chiefly because we are enthusiasts ; 
looking for the end without using the means. 
To touch only upon two or three instances: — 
Who of us rises at four, or even at five, when 
we do not preach? Do we know the obliga- 
tion and benefit of fasting or abstinence? 
How often do we practise it ? The neglect of 
this alone is sufficient to account for our 
feebleness and faintness of spirit. We are 
continually grieving the Holy Spirit of God 
by the habitual neglect of a plain duty. Let 
us amend from this hour. 

Quest. 3. How shall we guard against Sab- 
bath breaking, evil speaking, unprofitable con- 
versation, lightness, expensiveness or gayety 



64 INSTRUCTION OF CHILDREN. Ch. 1. 

of apparel, and contracting debts without due 
care to discharge them? 

Answ. 1. Let us preach expressly on each 
of these heads. 2. Read in every society the 
sermon on evil speaking. 3. Let the leaders 
closely examine and exhort every person to 
put away the accursed thing. 4. Let the 
preachers warn every society that none who 
is guilty herein can remain with us. 5. Ex- 
tirpate buying or selling goods which have 
not paid the duty laid upon them by govern- 
ment out of our Church. Let none remain 
with us who will not totally abstain from this 
evil in every kind and degree. Extirpate 
bribery, receiving any thing, directly or indi- 
rectly, for voting at any election. Show no 
respect to persons herein, but expel all that, 
touch the accursed thing. And strongly ad- 
vise our people to discountenance all treats 
given by candidates before or at elections, 
and not to be partakers, in any respect, of 
such iniquitous practices. 



SECTION xvi. 
Of the Instruction of Children. 

Quest. What shall we do for the rising 
generation ? 



Sec. 16. INSTRUCTION OF CHILDREN. 65 

Answ. 1. Let Sunday schools be formed in 
all our congregations where ten children can 
be collected for that purpose. And it shall be 
the special duty of preachers having charge 
of circuits and stations, with the aid of the 
other preachers, to see that this be done ; to 
engage the co-operation of as many of our 
members as they can ; to visit the schools as 
often as practicable ; to preach on the subject 
of Sunday schools and religious instruction 
in each congregation at least once in six 
months ; to lay before the quarterly confer- 
ence at each quarterly meeting, to be entered 
on its journal, a written statement of the num- 
ber and state of the Sunday schools within 
their respective circuits and stations, and to 
make a report of the same to their several 
annual conferences. Each quarterly confer- 
ence shall be deemed a board of managers, 
having supervision of all the Sunday schools 
and Sunday school societies within its limits, 
and shall be auxiliary to the Sunday School 
Union of the Methodist Episcopal Church; 
and each annual conference shall report to 
said Union the number of auxiliaries within 
its bounds, together with other facts presented 
in the annual reports of the preachers as above 
directed. 

2. It is recommended that each annual con- 



66 INSTRUCTION OF CHILDREN. Ch. 1. 

ference, where the general state of the work 
will allow, request the appointment of a spe- 
cial agent, to travel throughout its bounds, for 
the purpose of promoting the interests of Sun- 
day schools ; and his expenses shall be paid 
out of collections which he shall be directed 
to make, or otherwise, as shall be ordered by 
the conference. 

3. Let our catechisms be used as exten- 
sively as possible, both in our Sunday schools 
and families ; and let the preachers faithfully 
enforce upon parents and Sunday school 
teachers the great importance of instructing 
children in the doctrines and duties of our 
holy religion. 

4. It shall be the special duty of the 
preachers to form Bible classes wherever 
they can, for the instruction of larger children 
and youth; and where they cannot superin- 
tend them personally, to appoint suitable lead- 
ers for that purpose. 

5. It shall be the duty of every preacher of 
a circuit or station to obtain the names of the 
children belonging to his congregations, and 
leave a list of such names for his successor; 
and in his pastoral visits he shall pay special 
attention to the children, speak to them per- 
sonally, and kindly, on experimental and 
practical godliness, according to their capa- 






Sec. 17. OF EMPLOYING OUR TIME, ETC. 67 

city, pray earnestly for them, and diligently 
instruct and exhort all parents to dedicate 
their children to the Lord in baptism as early 
as convenient; and let all baptized children 
be faithfully instructed in the nature, design, 
privileges, and obligations of their baptism. 
Those of them who are well disposed may be 
admitted to our class meetings and love-feasts, 
and such as are truly serious, and manifest a 
desire to flee the wrath to come, shall be ad- 
vised to join society as probationers. 



SECTION XVII. 

Of employing our Time profitably, when we are not travellings 
or engaged in public Exercises. 

Quest. 1. "What general method of employ- 
ing our time shall we advise ? 

Answ. We advise you, I- As often as pos- 
sible to rise at four. 2. From four to five in 
the morning, and from five to six in the eve- 
ning, to meditate, pray, and read the Scrip- 
tures with notes, and the closely practical 
parts of what Mr. Wesley has published. 
3. From six in the morning till twelve, (al- 
lowing an hour for breakfast,) read, with much 
prayer, some of our best religious tracts. 



68 OF EMPLOYING OUR TIME, ETC. Ch. 1. 

Quest. 2. Why is it that the people under 
our care are not better ? 

Answ. Other reasons may concur, but the 
chief is, because we are not more knowing 
and more holy. 

Quest. 3. But why are we not more know- 
ing? 

Answ. Because we are idle. We forget our 
first rule, "Be diligent. Never be unem- 
ployed. Never be triflingly employed. Neither 
spend any more time at any place than is 
strictly necessary." We fear there is alto- 
gether a fault in this matter, and that few of 
us are clear. Which of us spend as many 
hours a day in God's work as we did formerly 
in man's work ? We talk, — talk, or read what 
comes next to hand. We must, absolutely 
must, cure this evil, or betray the cause of 
God. But how? 1. Read the most useful 
books, and that regularly and constantly. 
2. Steadily spend all the morning in this em- 
ployment, or at least five hours in the four 
and twenty. " But I have no taste for read- 
ing." Contract a taste for it by use, or return 
to your former employment. " But I have no 
books." Be diligent to spread the books, and 
you will have the use of them. 






Sec. 18. NECESSITY OF UNION. 69 

SECTION XVIII. 
Of the Necessity of Union among ourselves. 

Let us be deeply sensible (from what we 
have known) of the evil of a division in prin- 
ciple, spirit, or practice, and the dreadful con- 
sequences to ourselves and others. If we are 
united, what can stand before us? If we 
divide, we shall destroy ourselves, the work 
of pod, and the souls of our people. 

Quest. What can be done in order to a 
closer union with each other ? 

Answ. 1. Let us be deeply convinced of 
the absolute necessity of it. 

2. Pray earnestly for, and speak freely to 
each other. 

3. When we meet, let us never part with- 
out prayer. 

4. Take great care not to despise each 
other's gifts. 

5. Never speak lightly of each other. 

6. Let us defend each other's character in 
every thing, so far as is consistent with truth. 

7. Labour, in honour, each to prefer the 
other before himself. 

8. We recommend a serious perusal of The 
Causes ■, Evils, and Cures of Heart and Church 
Divisions. 



70 IMMORAL MINISTERS. Ch. 1. 

SECTION XIX. 

Of the Method by which immoral travelling Ministers or 
Preachers shall be brought to Trial, found guilty ', and re- 
proved or suspended in the Intervals of the Conferences* 

Quest, 1. What shall be done when an elder, 
deacon, or preacher is under report of being 
guilty of some crime, expressly forbidden in 
the word of God, as an unchristian practice, 
sufficient to exclude a person from the king- 
dom of grace and glory ? 

Ansrv. Let the presiding elder, in the ab- 
sence of a bishop, call as many travelling 
ministers as he shall think fit, at least three : 
and, if possible, bring the accused and the ac- 
cuser face to face. If the person be clearly 
convicted, he shall be suspended from all 
official services in the Church till the ensuing 
annual conference ; at which his case shall 
be fully considered and determined. But if 
the accused be a presiding elder, the preachers 
must call in the presiding elder of the neigh- 
bouring district, who is required to attend and 
preside at the trial. 

If the accused and accuser cannotbe brought 
face to face, but the supposed delinquent flees 
from trial, it shall be received as a presump- 
tive proof of guilt ; and out of the mouth of 

* For the trial of a bishop, see section iv. 



Sec. 19. IMMORAL MINISTERS. 71 

two or three witnesses he shall be condemned. 
Nevertheless, even in that case, the annual 
conference shall reconsider and determine the 
whole matter. 

And if the accused be a superannuated 
preacher, living out of the bounds of the con- 
ference of which he is a member, he shall be 
held responsible to the annual conference 
within whose bounds he may reside, who shall 
have power to try, acquit, suspend, locate, or 
expel him, in the same manner as if he were 
a member of said conference. 

Quest 2. What shall be done in cases of 
improper tempers, words, or actions ? 

Answ. The person so offending shall be re- 
prehended by his senior in office. Should a 
second transgression take place, one, two, or 
three ministers or preachers are to be taken 
as witnesses. If he be not then cured, he 
shall be tried at the next annual conference, 
and, if found guilty and impenitent, shall be 
expelled from the connection, and his name 
so returned in the Minutes of the conference. 

Quest 3. What shall be done with those 
ministers or preachers who hold and dissemi- 
nate, publicly or privately, doctrines which are 
contrary to our articles of religion ? 

Answ. Let the same process be observed as 
in case of gross immorality : but if the minis- 



72 IMMORAL MINISTERS. Ch. L 

ter or preacher so offending do solemnly en- 
gage not to disseminate such erroneous doc- 
trines in public or in private, he shall be borne 
with, till his case be laid before the next an- 
nual conference, which shall determine the 
matter. 

Quest. 4. What shall be done with a mem- 
ber of an annual conference w T ho conducts 
himself in a manner which renders him unac- 
ceptable to the people as a travelling preacher? 

A?is?v. When any member of an annual 
conference shall be charged with having so 
conducted himself as to render him unaccept- 
able to the people as a travelling preacher, it 
shall be the duty of the conference to which 
he belongs to investigate the case ; and if it 
appear that the complaint is well founded, and 
he do not give the conference satisfaction that 
he will amend or voluntarily retire, they may 
locate him without his consent : provided that 
he shall be at liberty to defend himself before 
the conference in person or by his representa- 
tive ; and if he be located in his absence with- 
out having been previously notified of an in- 
tention thus to proceed against him, he may 
apply to the conference, at its next session, 
to be heard in his defence, in which case they 
shall reconsider the matter for that purpose. 

Provided, nevertheless, that in all the. above- 



SeC. 19. IMMORAL MINISTERS. 73 

mentioned cases of trial and conviction, an 
appeal to the ensuing General Conference 
shall be allowed, if the condemned person 
signify his intention to appeal, at the time of 
his condemnation, or at any time thereafter 
when he is informed thereof. 

In all the above-mentioned cases, it shall be 
the duty of the secretary of the annual con- 
ference to keep regular minutes of the trial, 
including all the questions proposed to the wit- 
nesses, and their answers, together with the 
crime with which the accused is charged, the 
specification, or specifications, and also pre- 
serve all the documents relating to the case ; 
which minutes and documents only, in case of 
an appeal from the decision of an annual con- 
ference, shall be presented to the General Con- 
ference, in evidence on the case. And in all 
cases, when an appeal is made, and admitted 
by the General Conference, the appellant shall 
either state personally, or by his representative, 
(who shall be a member of the conference,) 
the grounds of his appeal, showing cause why 
he appeals, and he shall be allowed to make 
his defence without interruption. After which 
the representatives of the annual conference 
from whose decision the appeal is made, shall 
be permitted to respond in presence of the ap- 
pellant, who shall have the privilege of reply- 

4 



74 IMMORAL MINISTERS. Ch. 1. 

ing to such representatives, which shall close 
the pleadings on both sides. This done, the 
appellant shall withdraw, and the conference 
shall decide. And after such form of trial and 
expulsion, the person so expelled shall have no 
privileges of society or sacraments in our Church, 
without confession, contrition, and proper trial. 

A preacher on trial who may be accused of 
crime shall be accountable to the quarterly 
conference of the circuit on which he travels. 
The presiding elder shall call a committee of 
three local preachers, who may suspend him. 
And the quarterly conference may expel him. 
Nevertheless, he shall have a right to an ap- 
peal to the next annual conference. 

When any travelling elder or deacon is 
deprived of his credentials, by expulsion or 
otherwise, they shall be filed with the papers 
of the annual conference of which he was a 
member; and should he at any future time give 
satisfactory evidence to said conference of his 
amendment, and procure a certificate of the 
quarterly conference of the circuit or station 
where he resides, or of an annual conference 
who may have admitted him on trial, recom- 
mending to the annual conference of which 
he was a member formerly the restoration of 
his credentials, the said conference may re- 
store them. 



Sec. 21. LOCAL PREACHERS. 75 

SECTION XX. 

How to provide for the Circuits in time of Conference^ and 
to preserve and increase the Work of God. 

Quest. What can be done to supply the cir- 
cuits during the sittings of the conferences ? 

Answ. 1. Let all the appointments stand 
according to the plan of the circuit. 

2. Engage as many local preachers and ex- 
horters as will supply them ; and let them be 
paid for their time in proportion to the allow- 
ance of the travelling preachers. 

3. If preachers and exhorters cannot attend, 
let some person of ability be appointed in every 
society, to sing, pray, and read one of Mr. Wes- 
ley's sermons. 

4. But if that cannot be done, let there be 
prayer meetings. 



SECTION xxi. 
Local Preachers. 

Quest. 1. What directions shall be given 
concerning local preachers ? 

Answ. 1. The quarterly meeting conference 
shall take cognizance of all the local preach- 
ers in the circuit or station, and shall inquire 
into the gifts, labours, and usefulness of each 
preacher by name. 



76 LOCAL PREACHERS. Ch. 1. 

2. The quarterly conference shall have 
authority to license proper persons to preach, 
and renew their license annually, when in the 
judgment of said conference their gifts, grace, 
and usefulness will warrant such renewal ; to 
recommend suitable candidates to the annual 
conference for deacons' or elders' orders in the 
local connection, for admission on trial in the 
travelling connection, and to try, suspend, 
expel, or acquit any local preacher in the cir- 
cuit or station against whom charges may be 
brought. Provided, that no person shall be 
licensed to preach without the recommenda- 
tion of the society, of which he is a member, 
or of a leaders' meeting. Nor shall any one 
be licensed to preach, or recommended to the 
annual conference to travel, or for ordination, 
without first being examined in the quarterly 
conference on the subject of doctrines and dis- 
cipline. 

3. A licensed local preacher shall be eligi- 
ble to the office of a deacon, after he has 
preached four years, from the time he received 
a regular license, and has obtained a testimo- 
nial from the quarterly conference, after pro- 
per examination, signed by the president and 
countersigned by the secretary ; and after his 
character has passed in examination before, 



Sec. 21. LOCAL PREACHERS. 77 

and he has obtained the approbation of the 
annual conference. 

4. A local deacon shall be eligible to the 
office of an elder, after he has preached four 
years, from the time he was ordained a dea- 
con, and has obtained a recommendation from 
the quarterly conference of which he is a mem- 
ber; certifying his qualifications in doctrine, 
discipline, talents, and usefulness, signed by 
the president, and countersigned by the secre- 
tary. He shall, if he cannot attend, send to 
the annual conference such recommendation, 
and a note certifying his belief in the doctrine 
and discipline of our Church. The whole 
being examined by the annual conference, 
and if approved he may be ordained: pro- 
vided, nevertheless, no slaveholder shall be 
eligible to the office of an elder or deacon, 
where the laws will admit of emancipation, 
and permit the liberated slave to enjoy free- 
dom. 

5. Every local elder, deacon, and preacher 
shall have his name recorded on the journal 
of the quarterly conference of which he is a 
member, and also enrolled on a class paper, 
and meet in class, if the distance of his place 
of residence from any class be not too great ; 
or in neglect thereof, the quarterly conference, 



78 LOCAL PREACHERS. Ch. 1. 

if they judge it proper, may deprive him of 
his ministerial office. 

Whenever any elder, deacon, or preacher 
shall remove from one circuit or station to 
another, he shall procure from the presiding 
elder of the district, or from the preacher 
having charge, a certificate of his official 
standing in the Church at the time of his re- 
moval, without which he shall not be received 
as a local preacher in other places. 

No elder, deacon, or preacher among us 
shall distil or vend spirituous liquors, without 
forfeiting his official standing. 

Quest. 2. What shall be done when a local 
elder, deacon, or preacher, is reported to be 
guilty of some crime expressly forbidden in 
the word of God, sufficient to exclude a per- 
son from the kingdom of grace and glory ? 

Answ. 1. The preacher having charge shall 
call a committee consisting of three or more 
local preachers, before whom it shall be the 
duty of the accused to appear, and by whom 
he shall be acquitted, or, if found guilty, sus- 
pended until the next quarterly conference. 
And the preacher in charge shall cause exact 
minutes of the charges, testimony, and exa- 
mination, together with the decision of the 
committee, to be laid before the quarterly con- 
ference, where it shall be the duty of the ac- 



SeC. 21. LOCAL PREACHERS. 79 

cused to appear. And the president shall, at 
the commencement of the trial, appoint a se- 
cretary, who shall take down regular minutes 
of the evidence of the trial ; which minutes, 
when read and approved, shall be signed by 
the president, and also by the members of the 
conference who are present, or a majority of 
them. 

And in case of condemnation, the local 
preacher, deacon, or elder, shall be allowed 
to appeal to the next annual conference, pro- 
vided that he signify to the said quarterly con- 
ference his determination to appeal ; in which 
case the said president shall lay the minutes 
of the trial above mentioned before the said 
annual conference, at which the local preach- 
er, deacon, or elder, so appealing, may appear: 
and the said annual conference shall judge, 
and finally determine from the minutes of the 
said trial, so laid before them. 

2. When a local elder, or deacon, shall be 
expelled, the presiding elder shall require of 
him the credentials of his ordination, to be 
filed with the papers of the annual conference 
within the limits of which the expulsion has 
taken place. And should he, at any future 
time, produce to the annual conference a cer- 
tificate of his restoration, signed by the presi- 
dent, and countersigned by the secretary of 



80 OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. Ch. 1. 

the quarterly conference, his credentials may- 
be restored to him. 

Quest 3. What shall be done in cases of 
improper tempers, words, or actions ? 

Ansrv. The person so offending shall be 
reprehended by the preacher having charge. 
Should a second transgression take place, 
one, two, or three faithful friends are to be 
taken as witnesses. If he be not then cured, 
he shall be tried at the next quarterly confer- 
ence, and if found guilty and impenitent, he 
shall be expelled from the Church. 



SECTION XXII. 
Of Baptism. 

1. Let every adult person, and the parents 
of every child to be baptized, have the choice 
either of immersion, sprinkling, or pouring. 

2. We will on no account whatever make 
a charge for administering baptism, or for 
burying the dead. 



SECTION XXIII. 
Of the Lord's Supper. 

Quest Are there any directions to be given 
concerning the administration of the Lord's 
supper ? 



Sec. 24. public worship. 81 

Answ. 1. Let those who have scruples 
concerning the receiving of it kneeling, be 
permitted to receive it either standing or 
sitting. 

2. Let no person that is not a member of 
our Church be admitted to the communion 
without examination, and some token given 
by an elder or deacon. 

3. No person shall be admitted to the Lord's 
supper among us w 7 ho is guilty of any practice 
for which we would exclude a member of our 
Church. 



SECTION XXIV. 
Of Public Worship. 

Quest. What directions shall be given for 
the establishment of uniformity in public wor- 
ship among us, on the Lord's day? 

Answ. 1. Let the morning service consist 
of singing, prayer, the reading of a chapter 
out of the Old Testament, and another out 
of the New, and preaching. 

2. Let the afternoon service consist of 
singing, prayer, the reading of one or two 
chapters out of the Bible, and preaching. 

3. Let the evening service consist of sing- 
ing, prayer, and preaching. 

4. But on the days of administering the 

4* 



82 OF SINGING. Ch. 1. 

Lord's supper, the two chapters in the morn- 
ing service may be omitted. 

5. In administering the ordinances, and in 
the burial of the dead, let the form of disci- 
pline invariably be used. .Let the Lord's 
prayer also be used on all occasions of public 
worship in concluding the first prayer, and 
the apostolic benediction in dismissing the 
congregation. 

6. Let the society be met, wherever it is 
practicable, on the Sabbath day. 



section xxv. 

Of the Spirit and Truth of Singing. 

Quest. How shall we guard against formal- 
ity in singing ? 

Answ. 1. By choosing such hymns as are 
proper for the congregation. 

2. By not singing too much at once ; seldom 
more than five or six verses. 

3. By suiting the tune to the words. 

4. By often stopping short, and asking the 
people, "Now! do you know what you said 
last? Did you speak no more than you felt?" 

5. Do not suffer the people to sing too 
slow. This naturally tends to formality, and 
is brought in by those who have either very 
strong or very weak voices. 






Sec. 25. op singing. 83 

6. In every large society let them learn to 
sing; and let them always learn our tunes 
first. 

7. Let the women constantly sing their 
parts alone. Let no man sing with them un- 
less he understands the notes, and sings the 
base as it is composed in the tune book. 

8. Introduce no new tune till they are per- 
fect in the old. 

9. Recommend our tune book. And if you 
cannot sing yourself, choose a person or two 
at each place to pitch the tune for you. 

10. 'Exhort every person in the congrega- 
tion to sing ; not one in ten only. 

11. Sing no hymns of your own composing. 

12. If a preacher be present, let him alone 
give out the w r ords. 

13. When the singers would teach a tune 
to the congregation, they must sing only the 
tenor, [the air.] 

14. Let it be recommended to our people 
not to attend the singing schools which are 
not under our direction. 

15. The preachers are desired not to en- 
courage the singing of fugue tunes in our 
congregations. 

16. We do not think that fugue tunes are 
sinful or improper to be used in private com- 
panies : but we do not approve of their being 



84 GENERAL RULES. Ch. 2. 

used in our public congregations, because 
public singing is a part of divine worship in 
which all the congregation ought to join. 



CHAPTER II. 

SECTION I. 

The Nature , Design, and General Rules of our United 
Societies. 

(1) In the latter end of the year 1739, eight 
or ten persons came to Mr. Wesley in London, 
who appeared to be deeply convinced of sin, 
and earnestly groaning for redemption. They 
desired (as did two or three more the next 
day) that he would spend some time with 
them in prayer, and advise them how to flee 
from the wrath to come ; which they saw 
continually hanging over their heads. That 
he might have more time for this great work, 
he appointed a day when they might all come 
together; which from thenceforward they did 
every week, namely, on Thursday, in the 
evening. To these, and as many more as 
desired to join with them, (for their number 
increased daily,) he gave those advices from 
time to time which he judged most needful 
for them; and they always concluded their 
meeting with prayer suited to their several 
necessities. 



Sec. 1. GENERAL RULES. 85 

(2) This was the rise of the United So- 
ciety, first in Europe, and then in America* 
Such a society is no other than " a company 
of men having the form and seeking the power 
of godliness, united in order to pray together, to 
receive the word of exhortation, and to watch 
over one another in love, that they may help 
each other to work out their salvation." 

(3) That it may the more easily be dis- 
cerned whether they are indeed working out 
their own salvation, each society is divided 
into smaller companies, called classes, ac- 
cording to their respective places of abode. 
There are about twelve persons in a class; 
one of whom is styled the leader. It is his 
duty, 

I. To see each person in his class once a 
week at least ; in order, 

1. To inquire how their souls prosper. 

2. To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, 
as occasion may require. 

3. To receive what they are willing to give 
toward the relief of the preachers, Church, 
and poor.* 

II. To meet the ministers and the stewards 
of the society once a week ; in order, 

1. To inform the minister of any that are 

* This part refers to towns and cities ; where the poor are 
generally numerous, and Church expenses considerable. 



86 GENERAL RULES. Ch. 2. 

sick, or of any that walk disorderly, and will 
not be reproved. 

2. To pay the stewards what they have 
received of their several classes in the week 
preceding. 

(4) There is only one condition previously 
required of those who desire admission into 
these societies, " a desire to flee from the 
wrath to come, and to be saved from their 
sins." But wherever this is really fixed in 
the soul, it will be shown by its fruits. It is 
therefore expected of all who continue therein, 
that they should continue to evidence their 
desire of salvation, 

First, By doing no harm, by avoiding evil 
of every kind, especially that which is most 
generally practised : such as, 

The taking of the name of God in vain. 

The profaning the day of the Lord, either 
by doing ordinary work therein, or by buying 
or selling. 

Drunkenness : or drinking spirituous liquors, 
unless in cases of necessity. 

The buying and selling of men, women, and 
children, ?vith an intention to enslave them. 

Fighting, quarrelling, brawling, brother going 
to law with brother ; returning evil for evil ; 
or railing for railing ; the using manij words 
in buying or selling. 



Sec. 1. GENERAL RULES. 87 

The buying or selling goods that have not 
'paid the duty. 

The giving or taking things on usury, i. e., 
unlawful interest. 

Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation : 
particularly speaking evil of magistrates or 
of ministers. 

Doing to others as we would not they 
should do unto us. 

Doing what we know is not for the glory of 
God: as, 

The putting on of gold and costly apparel. 

The taking such diversions as cannot be used 
in the name of the Lord Jesus. 

The singing those songs, or reading those 
books, which do not tend to the knowledge or 
love of God. 

Softness and needless self-indulgence. 

Laying up treasure upon earth. 

Borrowing without a probability of paying ; 
or taking up goods without a probability of 
paying for them. 

(5) It is expected of all who continue in 
these societies, that they should continue to 
evidence their desire of salvation, 

Secondly, By doing good, by being in every 
kind merciful after their pow r er, as they have 
opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, 
and, as far as possible, to all men. 



88 GENERAL RULES. Ch. 2. 

To their bodies, of the ability which God 
giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by cloth- 
ing the naked, by visiting or helping them that 
are sick, or in prison. 

To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or 
exhorting all we have any intercourse with ; 
trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine, 
that " we are not to do good unless our hearts 
be free toitP 

By doing good, especially to them that are 
of the household of faith, or groaning so to be ; 
employing them preferably to others, buying 
one of another, helping each other in business ; 
and so much the more because the world will 
love its own, and them only. 

By all possible diligence and frugality, that 
the Gospel be not blamed. 

By running with patience the race which 
is set before them, denying themselves, and 
taking up their cross daily ; submitting to bear 
the reproach of Christ, to be as the filth and 
offscouring of the world; and looking that 
men should say all manner of evil of them 
falsely for the Lord's sake. 

(6) It is expected of all who desire to con- 
tinue in these societies, that they should con- 
tinue to evidence their desire of salvation, 

Thirdly, By attending upon all the ordi- 
nances of God : such are, 



Sec. 2. OF CLASS MEETINGS. 89 

The public worship of God : 

The ministry of the word, either read or 
expounded : 

The supper of the Lord : 

Family and private prayer : 

Searching the Scriptures, and 

Fasting or abstinence. 

(7) These are the general rules of our so- 
cieties : all which we are taught of God to 
observe, even in his written word, which is the 
only rule, and the sufficient rule both of our 
faith and practice. And all these we know 
his Spirit writes on truly awakened hearts. If 
there be any among us who observe them not, 
w T ho habitually break any of them, let it be 
known unto them who watch over that soul, 
as they who must give an account. We will 
admonish him of the error of his ways. We 
will bear with him for a season. But if then 
he repent not, he hath no more place among 
us. We have delivered our own souls. 



SECTION II. 

Of Class Meetings. 

Quest. 1. How may the leaders of classes 
be rendered more useful? 

Answ. 1. Let each of them be diligently 
examined concerning his method of meeting a 



90 OF CLASS MEETINGS. Ch. 2. 

class. Let this be done with all possible ex- 
actness, at least once a quarter.. In order to 
this, take sufficient time. 

2. Let each leader carefully inquire how 
every soul of his class prospers : not only how 
each person observes the outward rules, but 
how he grows in the knowledge and love of 
God. 

3. Let the leaders converse with those who 
have the charge of their circuits, frequently 
and freely. 

Quest. 2. Can any thing more be done in 
order to make the class meetings lively and 
profitable? 

Answ. 1. Change improper leaders. 

2. Let the leaders frequently meet each 
other's classes. 

3. Let us observe which leaders are the 
most useful; and let these meet the other 
classes as often as possible. 

4. See that all the leaders be not only men 
of sound judgment, but men truly devoted to 
God. 

Quest 3. How shall we prevent improper 
persons from insinuating themselves into the 
Church? 

Answ. 1. Let none he received into the Church, 
until they are recommended by a leader ?vith 
whom they have met at least six months on trial, 



Sec. 2. OF CLASS MEETINGS. 91 

and have been baptized ; and shall on examina- 
tion by the minister in charge, before the Church, 
give satisfactonj assurances both of the correct- 
ness of their faith, and their willingness to ob- 
serve and keep the rules of the Church. Never- 
theless, if a member in good standing in any 
other orthodox Church shall desire to unite 
with us, such applicant may, by giving satis- 
factory answers to the usual inquiries, be re- 
ceived at once into full fellowship. 

2. Let none be admitted on trial, except they 
are well recommended by one you know, or 
until they have met twice or thrice in class. 

3. Read the rules to them the first time they 
meet. 

Quest. 4. How shall we be more exact in 
receiving and excluding members ? 

Ansrv. The official minister or preacher 
shall, at every quarterly meeting, read the 
names of those that are received into the 
Church, and also those that are excluded 
therefrom. 

Quest. 5. "What shall we do with those mem- 
bers of our Church who wilfully and repeatedly 
neglect to meet their class ? 

Ansrv. 1. Let the elder, deacon, or one of 
the preachers, visit them, whenever it is prac- 
ticable, and explain to them the consequence 
if they continue to neglect, viz., exclusion. 



92 BAND SOCIETIES. Ch. 2. 

2. If they do not amend, let him who has 
the charge of the circuit or station bring their 
case before the society, or a select number, 
before whom they shall have been cited to 
appear ; and if they be found guilty of wilful 
neglect by the decision of a majority of the 
members, before whom their case is brought, 
let them be laid aside, and let the preacher 
show that they are excluded for a breach of 
our rules, and not for immoral conduct. 



SECTION III. 
Of the Band Societies. 

Two, three, or four true believers, who have 
confidence in each other, form a band. Only 
it is to be observed, that in one of these 
bands all must be men, or all women ; and 
all married, or all unmarried. 

{Rules of the Band Societies, drawn up Dec. 25, 1738.] 

The design of our meeting is to obey that 
command of God, Confess your faults one to 
another, and pray one for another, that ye may 
be healed, James v, 16. 

To this end we agree, 

1. To meet once a week at least. 

2. To come punctually at the hour ap- 



Sec. 3. BAND SOCIETIES. 93 

pointed, without some extraordinary reason 
prevents. 

3. To begin exactly at the hour with sing- 
ing or prayer. 

4. To speak, each of us in order, freely and 
plainly, the true state of our souls, with the 
faults we have committed in tempers, words, 
or actions, and the temptations we have felt 
since our last meeting. 

5. To end every meeting with prayer suited 
to the state of each person present. 

6. To desire some person among us to 
speak his own state first, and then to ask the 
rest in order as many and as searching ques- 
tions as may be, concerning their state, sins, 
and temptations. 

Some of the questions proposed to one be- 
fore he is admitted among us may be to this 
effect : 

1. Have you the forgiveness of your sins? 

2. Have you peace with God, through our 
Lord Jesus Christ? 

3. Have you the witness of God's Spirit 
with your spirit, that you are a child of God ? 

4. Is the love of God shed abroad in your 
heart? 

5. Has no sin, inward or outward, dominion 
over you ? 

6. Do you desire to be told of your faults ? 



94 BAND SOCIETIES. Ch. 2. 

7. Do you desire to be told of all your 
faults, and that plain and home ? 

8. Do you desire that every one of us 
should tell you, from time to time, whatsoever 
is in our heart concerning you? 

9. Consider ! Do you desire we should tell 
you whatsoever we think, whatsoever we fear, 
whatsoever we hear concerning you? 

10. Do you desire that in doing this, we 
should come as close as possible, that we 
should cut to the quick, and search your 
heart to the bottom ? 

11. Is it your desire and design to be on 
this and all other occasions entirely open, so 
as to speak without disguise, and without re- 
serve ? 

Any of the preceding questions may be 
asked as often as occasion requires ; the four 
following at every meeting. 

1. What known sins have you committed 
since our last meeting ? 

2. What particular temptations have you 
met with ? 

3. How were you delivered? 

4. What have you thought, said, or done, 
of which you doubt whether it be sin or not? 

Directions given to the Band Societies, December 25, 1744. 

You are supposed to have the faith that over- 



Sec. 3. BAND SOCIETIES. 95 

cometh the world. To you, therefore, it is not 
grievous : 

I. Carefully to abstain from doing evil ; in 
particular, 

1. Neither to buy nor sell any thing at all 
on the Lord's day. 

2. To taste no spirituous liquor, no dram of 
any kind, unless prescribed by a physician. 

3. To be at a word both in buying and 
selling. 

4. Not to mention the faults of any behind 
his back, and to stop those short that do. 

5. To wear no needless ornaments, such as 
rings, ear rings, necklaces, lace, or ruffles. 

6. To use no needless self-indulgence. 

II. Zealously to maintain good works : in 
particular, 

1. To give alms of such things as you pos- 
sess, and that according to your ability. 

2. To reprove those who sin in your sight, 
and that in love and meekness of wisdom. 

3. To be patterns of diligence and frugality, 
of self-denial, and taking up the cross daily. 

III. Constantly to attend on all the ordi- 
nances of God : in particular, 

1. To be at church, and at the Lord's table, 
and at every public meeting of the bands, at 
every opportunity. 

2. To use private prayer every day; and 



96 OF MARRIAGE. Ch. 2. 

family prayer, if you are the head of a fa- 
mily. 

3. Frequently to read the Scriptures, and 
meditate thereon. And, 

4. To observe, as days of fasting, or absti- 
nence, all Fridays in the year. 



SECTION IV. 

Of the Privileges granted to serious Persons who are not of 
our Church. 

Quest. 1. How often shall we permit those 
who are not of our Church to meet in class ? 

Ansrv. At every other meeting of the class 
in every place let no stranger be admitted. 
At other times they may ; but the same per- 
son not above twice or thrice. 

Quest. 2. How often shall we permit stran- 
gers to be present at our love-feasts ? 

Ansrv. Let them be admitted with the ut- 
most caution ; and the same person on no ac- 
count above twice or thrice, unless he become 
a member. 



section v. 

Of Marriage. 

Quest. 1. Do we observe any evil which 
has prevailed in our Church with respect to 
marriage ? 



SeC. 5. OF MARRIAGE. 97 

Answ. Many of our members have married 
with unawakened persons. This has produced 
bad effects ; they have been either hindered 
for life, or have turned back to perdition. 

Quest, 2. What can be done to discourage 
this 1 

Answ. 1. Let every preacher publicly en- 
force the apostle's caution, "Be ye not 
unequally yoked together with unbelievers," 
2 Cor. vi, 14. 

2. Let all be exhorted to take no step in so 
weighty a matter, without advising with the 
most serious of their brethren. 

Quest. 3. Ought any woman to marry with- 
out the consent of her parents ? 

Answ. In general she ought not. Yet there 
may be exceptions. For if, 1. A woman be- 
lieve it to be her duty to marry : if, 2. Her 
parents absolutely refuse to let her marry 
any Christian : then she may, nay, ought to 
marry without their consent. Yet even then 
a Methodist preacher ought not to be married 
to her. 

We do not prohibit our people from marry- 
ing persons who are not of our Church, pro- 
vided such persons have the form, and are 
seeking the power of godliness ; but we are 
determined to discourage their marrying per- 
sons who do not come up to this description. 

5 



98 TRIAL OF Ch. 2. 

SECTION VI. 
Of Dress. 

Quest. Should we insist on the rules con- 
cerning dress 1 

Answ. By all means. This is no time to 
give encouragement to superfluity of apparel. 
Therefore receive none into the Church till 
they have left off superfluous ornaments. In 
order to this, 1. Let every one who has charge 
of a circuit or station read Mr. Wesley's 
Thoughts upon Dress, at least once a year 
in every society. 2. In visiting the classes, 
be very mild, but very strict. 3. Alow of no 
exempt case : better one suffer than many. 
4. Give no tickets to any that wear high 
heads, enormous bonnets, ruffles, or rings. 



SECTION VII. 

Of bringing to Trial, finding guilty, and reproving, sus- 
pending, or excluding disorderly Persons from Society 
and Church Privileges. 

Quest. How shall an accused member be 
brought to trial ? 

Answ. 1. Before the society of which he 
is a member, or a select number of them, in 
the, presence of a bishop, elder, deacon, or 
preacher, in the following manner : — Let the 



Sec. 7. DISORDERLY PERSONS. 99 

accused and accuser be brought face to face ; 
but if this cannot be done, let the next best 
evidence be procured. If the accused person 
be found guilty by the decision of a majority 
of the members before whom he is brought 
to trial, and the crime be such as is expressly 
forbidden by the word of God, sufficient to 
exclude a person from the kingdom of grace 
and glory, let the minister or preacher who 
has the charge of the circuit expel him. If 
the accused person evade a trial, by absent- 
ing himself, after sufficient notice given him, 
and the circumstances of the accusation be 
strong and presumptive, let him be esteemed 
as guilty, and be accordingly excluded. Wit- 
nesses from without shall not be rejected. 

2. But in cases of neglect of duties of any 
kind, imprudent conduct, indulging sinful tem- 
pers, or words, or disobedience to the order 
and discipline of the Church : First, let pri- 
vate reproof be given by a preacher or leader; 
and if there be an acknowledgment of the 
fault, and proper humiliation, the person may 
be borne with. On a second offence, the 
preacher or leader may take one or two faith- 
ful friends. On a third offence, let the case 
be brought before the society, or a select 
number, and if there be no sign of real humi- 
liation, the offender must be cut off. 



100 TRIAL OF DISORDERLY PERSONS. Ch. 2. 

3. If a member of our Church shall be 
clearly convicted of endeavouring to sow dis- 
sensions in any of our societies, by inveigh- 
ing against either our doctrines or discipline, 
such person so offending shall be first re- 
proved by the senior minister or preacher 
of his circuit, and, if he persist in such per- 
nicious practices, he shall be expelled from 
the Church. 

4. Nevertheless, if in any of the above- 
mentioned cases the minister or preacher 
differ in judgment from the majority of the 
society, or the select number, concerning the 
innocence or guilt of the accused person, the 
trial, in such case, may be referred by the 
minister or preacher to the ensuing quarterly 
meeting conference. 

5. If there be a murmur or complaint from 
any excluded person, in any of the above- 
mentioned instances, that justice has not been 
done, he shall be allowed an appeal to the 
next quarterly meeting conference : except 
such as absent themselves from trial, after 
sufficient notice is given them : and the ma- 
jority of the travelling and local preachers, 
exhorters, stewards, and leaders present, shall 
finally determine the case. 

After such forms of trial and expulsion, 
such persons shall have no privileges of so- 



Sec. 1. the lord's supper. 101 

ciety or of sacraments in our Church, without 
contrition, confession, and proper trial. 



CHAPTER III. 

SACRAMENTAL SERVICES, ETC. 

SECTION I. 

The Order for the Administration of the Lord's Supper. 

The elder shall say one or more of these sentences : — 

Let your light so shine before men, that 
they may see your good works, and glorify 
your Father who is in heaven, Matt, v, 16. 

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon 
earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and 
where thieves break through and steal: but 
lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and 
where thieves do not break through nor steal, 
Matt, vi, 19, 20. 

Whatsoever ye would that men should do 
unto you, even so do unto them : for this is 
the law and the prophets, Matt, vii, 12. 

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, 
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, 
but he that doeth the will of my Father which 
is in heaven, Matt, vii, 21. 

Zaccheus stood forth, and said unto the 
Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I 
give to the poor ; and if I have done any 



102 the lord's supper. Ch. 3. 

wrong to any man, I restore him fourfold, 
Luke xix, 8. 

He that soweth little, shall reap little ; and 
he that soweth plenteously, shall reap plente- 
ously. Let every man do according as he is 
disposed in his heart; not grudgingly or of 
necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver, 
2 Cor. ix, 6, 7. 

While we have time, let us do good unto 
all men, and especially unto them that are of 
the household of faith, Gal. vi, 10. 

Godliness with contentment is great gain : 
for we brought nothing into this world, and 
it is certain we can carry nothing out, 1 Tim. 
vi, 6, 7. 

Charge them who are rich in this world, 
that they be ready to give, and glad to dis- 
tribute, laying up in store for themselves a 
good foundation against the time to come, 
that they may attain eternal life, 1 Tim. vi, 
17, 18, 19. 

God is not unrighteous, that he will forget 
your works and labour that proceedeth of 
love ; which love you have showed for his 
name's sake, who have ministered unto the 
saints, and yet do minister, Heb. vi, 10. 

To do good, and to distribute, forget not; 
for with such sacrifices God is well pleased, 
Heb. iih, 16. 



Sec. 1. the lord's supper. 103 

Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth 
his brother have need, and shutteth up his 
bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth 
the love of God in him? 1 John hi, 17. 

He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth 
unto the Lord ; and look, what he layeth out, 
it shall be paid him again, Pro v. xix, 17. 

Blessed is the man that provideth for the 
sick and needy; the Lord shall deliver him 
in time of trouble, Psalm xli, 1. 

[While these sentences are in reading, some fit person, appointed for 
that purpose, shall receive the alms for the poor, and other devotions 
of the people, in a decent basin, to be provided for that purpose ; 
and then bring it to the elder, who shall place it upon the table.] 

After which the elder shall say, 

Ye that do truly and earnestly repent of 
your sins, and are in love and charity with 
your neighbours, and intend to lead a new 
life, following the commandments of God, and 
walking from henceforth in his holy ways ; 
draw near with faith, and take this holy sacra- 
ment to your comfort : and make your humble 
confession to almighty God, meekly kneeling 
upon your knees. 

Then shall this general confession be made by the minister in the name 
of all those who are minded to receive the holy communion, both he 
and all the people kneeling humbly upon their knees, and saying, 

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men: 
w r e acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins 



104 the lord's supper. Ch. 3. 

and wickedness, which we from time to time 
most grievously have committed, by thought, 
word, and deed, against thy Divine Majesty, 
provoking most justly thy wrath and indigna- 
tion against us. We do earnestly repent, and 
are heartily sorry for these our misdoings ; 
the remembrance of them is grievous unto us. 
Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, 
most merciful Father ; for thy Son, our Lord 
Jesus Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past; 
and grant that we may ever hereafter serve 
and please thee in newness of life, to the 
honour and glory of thy name, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the elder say> 

O Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who 
of thy great mercy hath promised forgiveness 
of sins to all them that with hearty repentance 
and true faith turn unto thee : have mercy 
upon us ; pardon and deliver us from all our 
sins, confirm and strengthen us in all good- 
ness, and bring us to everlasting life, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Collect. 

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be 
open, all desires known, and from whom no 
secrets are hid ; cleanse the thoughts of our 
hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, 



Sec. 1. the lord's supper. 105 

that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily 
magnify thy holy name, through Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the elder say, 

It is very meet, right, and our bounden 
duty, that we should at all times, and in all 
places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy 
Father, almighty, everlasting God. 

Therefore with angels and archangels, and 
with all the company of heaven, we laud and 
magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising 
thee, and saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God 
of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy 
glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high. 
Amen. 

Then % shall the elder say, 

We do not presume to come to this thy 
table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own 
righteousness, but in thy manifold and great 
mercies. We are not worthy so much as to 
gather up the crumbs under thy table. But 
thou art the same Lord, whose property is 
always to have mercy : Grant us, therefore, 
gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear 
Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that- 
our sinful souls and bodies may be made clean 
by his death, and washed through his most 
precious blood, and that we may evermore 
dwell in him, and he in us. Amen. 

5* 



106 the lord's supper. Ch. 3. 



Then the elder shall say the prayer of consecration, as followeth : — 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who 
of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son 
Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross 
for our redemption ; who made there (by his 
oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, 
and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfac- 
tion for the sins of the whole world ; and did in- 
stitute, and in his holy Gospel command us to 
continue, a perpetual memory of that his pre- 
cious death until his coming again : hear us, O 
merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee, 
and grant that we, receiving these thy crea- 
tures of bread and wine, according to thy Son 
our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution, in 
remembrance of his death and passion, may 
be partakers of his most blessed body and 
blood ; who in the same night that he was 
betrayed, took bread; 

(1) and When he had < X) &" the elder is to take the 
x plate of oread into his hand. 

given thanks, he broke 

it (2) and gave it to his (2) And hereto break the bread. 

disciples, saying,Take, 

eat; this (3) is my body (3) And here t0 lm J his hands 

, . , . . r upon all the bread. 

which is given tor you ; 
do this, in remem- 
brance of me. Like- 
wise after supper he 



Sec. 1. the lord's supper. 107 

took (4) the CUp ; and (4) Here he is to take the cup in 

when he had given Ushand ' 

thanks, he gave it to 

them, saying, Drink ye 

all of this : for this iKK A , , . , , , , 

; (5) And here to lay his hand 

(5) is my blood of the upon all the vessels xohich contain 

NewTestament, which thewine ' 
is shed for you and for many, for the remis- 
sion of sins ; do this as oft as ye shall drink 
it, in remembrance of me. Amen. 

Then shall the minister first receive the communion in both kinds him- 
self, and then proceed to deliver the same to the other ministers in 
like manner, {if any be present,) and after that to the people also, in 
order, into their hands. And when he dclivereth the bread, he 
shall say, 

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which 
was given for thee, preserve thy soul and body 
unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in 
remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed 
on him in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving. 

And the minister that dclivereth the cup shall say, 

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which 
was shed for thee, preserve thy soul and body 
unto everlasting life. Drink this in remem- 
brance that Christ's blood was shed for thee, 
and be thankful. 

[If the consecrated bread or wine be all spent before all have com- 
municated, the elder may consecrate more, by repeating the prayer of 
consecration.] 



108 the lord's SUPPER. Cll. 3. 

[When all have communicated, the minister shall return to the 
Lord's table, and place upon it what remaineth of the consecrated ele- 
ments, covering the same with a fair linen cloth.] 

Then shall the elder say the Lord's prayer ; the people repeating after 
him every petition. 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be 
thy name : thy kingdom come : thy will be 
done on earth as it is in heaven : give us this 
day our daily bread ; and forgive us our tres- 
passes, as we forgive them that trespass against 
us : and lead us not into temptation, but de- 
liver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and 
ever. Amen, 

After ivhich shall be said asfolloweth : — 

O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy hum- 
ble servants desire thy Fatherly goodness mer- 
cifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise 
and thanksgiving ; most humbly beseeching 
thee to grant that, by the merits and death of 
thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his 
blood, we and thy whole Church may obtain 
remission of our sins, and all other benefits of 
his passion. And here we offer and present 
unto thee, O Lord ; ourselves, our souls and 
bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively 
sacrifice unto thee ; humbly beseeching thee 
that all we who are partakers of this holy 



Sec. 1. THE LORD'S SUPPER. 109 

communion, may be filled with thy grace and 
heavenly benediction. And although we be 
unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer 
unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee 
to accept this our bounden duty and service ; 
not weighing our merits, but pardoning our 
offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord : by 
whom, and with whom, in the unity of the 
Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto 
thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. 
Amen. 

Then shall be said, 

Glory be to God on high, and on earth 
peace, good will toward men. We praise 
thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we 
glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy 
great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, 
God the Father Almighty. 

O Lord, the only begotten Son Jesus 
Christ ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of 
the Father, that takest away the sins of the 
world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest 
away the sins of the world, have mercy upon 
us. Thou that takest away the sins of the 
world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest 
at the right hand of God the Father, have 
mercy upon us. 

For thou only art holy ; thou only art the 



110 BAPTISM OF INFANTS. Ch. 3. 

Lord ; thou only, O Christ with the Holy 
Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the 
Father. Amen. 

Then the elder, if he see it expedient, may put up an extempore 
prayer ; and afterward shall let the people depart with this 
blessing : — 

May the peace of God, which passeth all 
understanding, keep your hearts and minds in 
the knowledge and love of God, and of his 
Son Jesus Christ our Lord ; and the blessing 
of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost be among you, and remain with 
you always. Amen. 

N. B. If the elder be straitened for time, he may omit any part of 
the service except the prayer of consecration. 



SECTION II. 

The Ministration of Baptism to Infants. 

The minister coming to the font, which is to be filled with pure water, 
shall use the following, or some other exhortation suitable to this 
sacred office : — 

Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are 
conceived and born in sin, and that our Saviour 
Christ saith, None can enter into the kingdom 
of God, except he be regenerate and born 
anew of water and of the Holy Ghost ; I be- 
seech you to call upon God the Father, through 



Sec. 2. BAPTISM OF INFANTS. Ill 

our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous 
mercy he will grant to this child that thing 
which by nature he cannot have ; that he may 
be baptized with water and the Holy Ghost, 
and received into Christ's holy Church, and 
be made a lively member of the same. 

Then shall the minister say, 
Let us pray. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy 
great mercy didst save Noah and his family 
in the ark from perishing by water ; and also 
didst safely lead the children of Israel, thy 
people, through the Red Sea, figuring thereby 
thy holy baptism : and by the baptism of thy 
well beloved Son Jesus Christ in the river 
Jordan, didst sanctify water for this holy sacra- 
ment : we beseech thee, for thine infinite mer- 
cies, that thou wilt look upon this child : wash 
him and sanctify him with the Holy Ghost; 
that he, being delivered from thy wrath, may 
be received into the ark of Christ's Church, 
and being steadfast in faith, joyful through 
hope, and rooted in love, may so pass the 
waves of this troublesome world, that finally , 
he may come to the land of everlasting life ; 
there to reign with thee, world without end, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen, 

O merciful God, grant that the old Adam in 



112 BAPTISM OF INFANTS. Ch. 3. 

this child may be so buried, that the new man 
may be raised up in him. Amen. 

Grant that all carnal affections may die in 
him, and that all things belonging to the Spirit 
may live and grow in him. Amen. 

Grant that he may have power and strength 
to have victory, and to triumph against the 
devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen. 

Grant that whosoever is dedicated to thee 
by our office and ministry may also be en- 
dued with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly 
rewarded through thy mercy, O blessed Lord 
God, who dost live and govern all things, 
world without end. Amen. 

Almighty, ever living God, whose most 
dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the for- 
giveness of our sins, did shed out of his most 
precious side both water and blood, and gave 
commandment to his disciples that they should 
go teach all nations, and baptize them in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost; regard, we beseech thee, 
the supplications of thy congregation ; sanc- 
tify this water for this holy sacrament ; and 
grant that this child now to be baptized may 
receive the fulness of thy grace, and ever 
remain in the number of thy faithful and 
elect children, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



Sec. 2. BAPTISM OF INFANTS. 113 

Then shall the people stand up ; and the minister shall say, 

Hear the words of the Gospel written by St. Mark in the tenth chap- 
ter, at the thirteenth verse. 

They brought young children to Christ, that 
he should touch them. And his disciples re- 
buked those that brought them; but when Jesus 
saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto 
them, Suffer the little children to come unto 
me, and forbid them not, for of such is the 
kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, 
Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of 
God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 
And he took them up in his arms, put his 
hands upon them, and blessed them. 

Then the minister shall take the child into his hands, and say to the 
friends of the child t 

Name this child. 

And then, naming it after them, he shall sprinkle or pour water upon 
it, or if desired, immerse it in water, saying, 

N. I baptize thee in the name of the Fa- 
ther, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
A men. 

Then shall be said, all kneeling, 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed 
be thy name ; thy kingdom come ; thy will 
be done, on earth as it is in heaven : give us 
this day our daily bread ; and forgive us our 



114 BAPTISM OF SUCH AS Ch. 3. 

trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass 
against us ; and lead us not into temptation, 
but deliver us from evil. Amen, 

Then shall the minister conclude with extemporary prayer. 
The Ministration of Baptism to such as are of riper Years. 

The minister shall use the following, or some other exhortation, suita- 
ble to this holy office : — 

Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are 
conceived and born in sin, (and that which is 
born of the flesh is flesh, and they that are in 
the flesh cannot please God, but live in sin, 
committing many actual transgressions :) and 
that our Saviour Christ saith, None can enter 
into the kingdom of God, except he be rege- 
nerate and born anew of water and of the 
Holy Ghost : I beseech you to call upon God 
the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
that of his bounteous goodness he will grant 
to these persons that which by nature they can- 
not have ; that they may be baptized with 
water and the Holy Ghost, and received into 
Christ's holy Church, and be made lively mem- 
bers of the same. 

Then shall the minister say, 

Almighty and immortal God, the aid of all 
that need, the helper of all that flee to thee 
for succour, the life of them that believe, and 



Sec. 2. ARE OF RIPER YEARS. 115 

the resurrection of the dead: we call upon 
thee for these persons ; that they, coming to 
thy holy baptism, may receive remission of 
their sins, by spiritual regeneration. Receive 
them, O Lord, as thou hast promised by thy 
well beloved Son, saying, Ask, and ye shall 
receive ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it 
shall be opened unto you : so give now unto 
us that ask : let us that seek, find : open the 
gate unto us that knock ; that these persons 
may enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy 
heavenly washing, and may come to the eter- 
nal kingdom which thou hast promised by 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

After which he shall say, 

Almighty and everlasting God, heavenly 
Father, we give thee humble thanks, for that 
thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the know- 
ledge of thy grace, and faith in thee ; increase 
this knowledge and confirm this faith in us 
evermore. Give thy Holy Spirit to these per- 
sons, that they may be born again, and be made 
heirs of everlasting salvation through our Lord 
Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with 
thee and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. 
Amen. 

Then shall the people stand up, and the minister shall say % 



116 BAPTISM OF SUCH AS Ch. 3. 

Hear the words of the Gospel, written by St. John, in the third chap- 
ter, beginning at the first verse. 

There was a man of the Pharisees, named 
Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews : the same 
came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, 
Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come 
from God : for no man can do these miracles 
which thou doest except God be with him. 
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, 
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born 
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man 
be born when he is old ? Can he enter the 
second time into his mother's womb, and be 
born ? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say 
unto thee, Except a man be born of water and 
of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom 
of God. That which is born of the flesh is 
flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is 
spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, 
Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth 
where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound 
thereof; but canst not tell whence it cometh, 
and whither it goetli : so is every one that is 
born of the Spirit. 

Then the minister shall speak to the persons to be baptized on this 
wise : — 

Well beloved, who are come hither, desir- 



Sec. 2. ARE OF RIPER YEARS. 117 

ing to receive holy baptism, ye have heard 
how the congregation hath prayed that our 
Lord Jesus Christ would vouchsafe to receive 
you, and bless you, to release you of your 
sins, to give you the kingdom of heaven, and 
everlasting life. And our Lord Jesus Christ 
hath promised, in his holy word, to grant all 
those things that we have prayed for : which 
promise he for his part will most surely keep 
and perform. 

Wherefore after this promise made by 
Christ, you must also faithfully, for your 
part, promise, in the presence of this whole 
congregation, that you will renounce the devil 
and all his works, and constantly believe 
God's holy word, and obediently keep his 
commandments. 

Then shall the minister demand of each of the persons to he laptized, 
severally, 

Quest. Dost thou renounce the devil and 
all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the 
world, with all covetous desires of the same, 
and the carnal desires of the flesh, so that 
thou wilt not follow or be led by them ? 

Ansrv. I renounce them all. 

Quest. Dost thou believe in God the Father 
Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth? and 
in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son our 



118 BAPTISM OF SUCH AS Ch. 3. 

Lord 1 and that he was conceived by the Holy 
Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary ? that he suf- 
fered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, 
dead, and buried : that he rose again the third 
day ; that he ascended into heaven, and sit- 
teth at the right hand of God the Father Al- 
mighty, and from thence shall come again, at 
the end of the world, to judge the quick and 
the dead? 

And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost, 
the holy catholic Chxirch,* the communion of 
saints; the remission of sins; the resurrec- 
tion of the body, and everlasting life after 
death ? 

Ansrv. All this I steadfastly believe. 

Quest. Wilt thou be baptized in this faith? 

Ansrv. This is my desire. 

Quest. Wilt thou then obediently keep God's 
holy will and commandments, and walk in the 
same all the days of thy life ? 

Ansrv. I will endeavour so to do, God being 
my helper. 

Then shall the minister say, 

O merciful God, grant that the old Adam 
in these persons may be so buried, that the 
new man may be raised up in them. Amen. 

* By holy catholic Church is meant the Church of God in 
general. 



Sec. 2. ARE OF RIPER YEARS. 119 

Grant that all carnal affections may die in 
them, and that all things belonging to the 
Spirit may live and grow in them. Amen. 

Grant that they may have power and strength 
to have victory, and triumph against the devil, 
the world, and the flesh. Amen. 

Grant that thetj being here dedicated to thee 
by our office and ministry, may also be endued 
with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly re- 
warded, through thy mercy, O blessed Lord 
God, who dost live and govern all things, 
world without end. Amen. 

Almighty, ever living God, whose most 
dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the for- 
giveness of our sins, did shed out of his most 
precious side both water and blood ; and gave 
commandment to his disciples that they should 
go teach all nations, and baptize them in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost : regard, we beseech thee, the 
supplications of this congregation ; and grant 
that the persons now to be baptized may re- 
ceive the fulness of thy grace, and ever remain 
in the number of thy faithful and elect chil- 
dren, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the minister take each person to be baptized by the right 
hand ; and placing him conveniently by the font, according to his 
discretion, shall ask the name ; and then shall sprinkle or pour water 
upon him, (or if he shall desire it, shall immerse him in water,) 
faying, 



120 MATRIMONY. Cll. 3. 

N. I baptize thee in the name of the Fa- 
ther, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
Amen. 

Then shall be said the Lord's prayer, all kneeling. 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be 
thy name ; thy kingdom come ; thy will be 
done on earth, as it is in heaven: give us 
this day our daily bread ; and forgive us our 
trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass 
against us : and lead us not into temptation ; 
but deliver us from evil. Amen. 

[Then let the minister conclude with extemporary prayer.] 



SECTION III. 
The Form of Solemnization of Matrimony. 

First, the banns of all that are to be married together must be published 
in the congregation three several Sundays in the time of Divine 
service, {unless they be otherwise qualified according to law,) the 
minister saying after the accustomed manner, 

I publish the banns of marriage between 

M. of and N. of . If any of you 

know cause or just impediment why these two 
persons should not be joined together in holy 
matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is the 
first [second or third] time of asking. 

At the day and time appointed for solemnization of matrimony, the 
persons to be married standing together, the man on the right hand, 
and the woman on the left, the minister shall say, 



Sec. 3. MATRIMONY. 121 

Dearly beloved, we are gathered together 
here in the sight of God, and in the presence 
of these witnesses, to join together this man 
and this woman in holy matrimony: which 
is an honourable estate, instituted of God in 
the time of man's innocency, signifying unto 
us the mystical union that is between Christ 
and his Church; which holy estate Christ 
adorned and beautified with his presence, and 
first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Ga- 
lilee, and is commended of St. Paul to be 
honourable among all men ; and therefore is 
not by any to be enterprised, or taken in hand 
unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, ad- 
visedly, and in the fear of God. 

Into which holy estate these two persons 
present come now to be joined. Therefore 
if any can show any just cause why they 
may not lawfully be joined together, let him 
now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his 
peace. 

And also speaking unto the persons that are to be married, 
he shall say, 

I require and charge you both (as you will 
answer at the dreadful day of judgment, when 
the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed) 
that if either of you know any impediment 
why you may not be lawfully joined together 
in matrimony, you do now confess it : for be 

6 



122 MATRIMONY. Ch. 3. 

ye well assured, that so many as are coupled 
together otherwise than God's word doth allow, 
are not joined together by God, neither is their 
matrimony lawful. 

If no impediment be alleged, then shall the minister say unto the man, 

M., Wilt thou have this woman to thy 
wedded wife, to live together after God's 
ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? 
Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and 
keep her, in sickness and in health : and, for- 
saking all other, keep thee only unto her, so 
long as ye both shall live? 

The man shall answer, 

I will. 

Then shall the minister say unto the woman, 

N. 9 Wilt thou have this man to thy wedded 
husband, to live together after God's ordinance, 
in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou 
obey him, serve him, love, honour, and keep 
him, in sickness and in health : and, forsaking 
all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as 
ye both shall live ? 

,.,-4 

The woman shall answer, 

I will. 

Then the minister shall cause the man with his right hand to take the 
woman by her right hand, and to say after him as followeth : — 

I M. take thee N. to be my wedded wife, 



Sec. 3. MATRIMONY. 123 

to have and to hold, from this day forward, 
for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in 
sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 
till death us do part, according to God's holy 
ordinance : and thereto I plight thee my faith. 

Then shall they loose their hands, and the woman with her right hand 
taking the man by his right hand, shall likewise say after the 
minister: — * 

I N. take thee M. to be my wedded hus- 
band, to have and to hold from this day for- 
ward, for better, for worse, for richer, for 
poorer, in- sickness and in health, to love, 
cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, 
according to God's holy ordinance : and there- 
to I give thee my faith. 

Then shall the minister say t 
Let us pray. 

O, eternal God, Creator and Preserver of 
all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the 
Author of everlasting life ; send thy blessing 
upon these thy servants, this man and this 
woman, whom we bless in thy name ; that as 
Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, 
so these persons may surely perform and keep 
the vow and covenant between them made, 
and may ever remain in perfect love and 
peace together, and live according to thy laws, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



124 MATRIMONY. Ch. 3. 

Then shall the minister join their right hands together, and say, 

Those whom God hath joined together, let 
no man put asunder. 

Forasmuch as M. and N. have consented 
together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed 
the same before God and this company, and 
thereto have pledged* their faith fiither to other,^ 
and have declared tKe^slraie b^ joining of 
hands; I pronounce that they are man and 
wife together, in the name of the Father, and 
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. J| 

And the minister shall add this Messing : — 

God the Father, God the Son, God the 
Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you ; 
the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon 
you, and so fill you with all spiritual benedic- 
tion and grace, that ye may so live together 
in this life, that in the world to come ye may 
have life everlasting. Amen. 

Then the minister shall say, 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be 
thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be 
done on earth, as it is in heaven : give us this 
day our daily bread ; and forgive us our tres- 
passes, as we forgive them that trespass 
against us : and lead us not into temptation; 
but deliver us from evil. Amen. 



Sec. 3. MATRIMONY. 125 

Then shall the minister say, 

God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of 
Jacob, bless this man and this woman, and 
sow the seed of eternal life in their hearts, 
that whatsoever in thy holy word they shall 
profitably learn, they may indeed fulfil the 
same. Look, O Lord, mercifully on them 
from heaven, and bless them : and as thou 
didst send thy blessings upon Abraham and 
Sarah, to their great comfort, so vouchsafe to 
send thy blessings upon this man and this 
woman, that they, obeying thy will, and always 
being in safety under thy protection, may abide 
in thy love unto their lives' end, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, who by thy mighty power hast 
made all things of nothing; who also (after 
other things set in order) didst appoint that out 
of man (created after thine own image and 
similitude) woman should take her beginning ; 
and, knitting them together, didst teach that it 
should never be lawful to put asunder those 
whom thou, by matrimony, hadst made one : 
O God, who hast consecrated the state of 
matrimony to such an excellent mystery, that 
in it is signified and represented the spiritual 
marriage and unity between Christ and his 
Church : look mercifully upon this man and 



126 BURIAL OF THE DEAD. Ch. 3. 

this woman ; that this man may love his wife, 
according to thy word, (as Christ did love his 
spouse, the Church, who gave himself for it ; 
loving and cherishing it, even as his own 
flesh,) and also that this woman may be loving 
and amiable, faithful and obedient to her hus- 
band; and in all quietness, sobriety, and peace, 
be a follower of holy and godly matrons. O 
Lord, bless them both, and grant them to in- 
herit thy everlasting kingdom, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the minister say, 

Almighty God, who at the beginning did 
create our first parents, Adam and Eve, and 
did sanctify and join them together in marriage, 
pour upon you the riches of his grace, sanctify 
and bless you, that ye may please him both 
in body and soul, and live together in holy 
love unto your lives' end. Amen. 



SECTION IV. 

The Order of the Burial of the Dead. 

N. B. The following or some other solemn service shall be used. 
The minister meeting the corpse, and going before it, shall say, 

I am the resurrection and the life, saith the 
Lord : he that believeth in me, though he were 
dead, yet shall he live ; and whosoever liveth, 



Sec. 4 BUKIAL OF THE DEAD. 127 

and believeth in me, shall never die, John xi, 
25, 26. 

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that 
he shall stand at the latter day upon the 
earth : and though, after my skin, worms de- 
stroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see 
God, whom I shall see for myself, and mine 
eyes shall behold, and not another, Job xix, 
25, 26, 27. 

We brought nothing into this world, and it 
is certain we can carry nothing out. The 
Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away : 
blessed be the name of the Lord, 1 Tim. vi, 7 ; 
Job i, 21. 

At the grave, when the corpse is laid in the earth, the minister 
shall say, 

Man that is born of a woman hath but a 
short time to live, and is full of misery. He 
cometh up, and is cut down like a flower : he 
fleeth as it were a shadow, and never con- 
tinueth in one stay. 

In the midst of life we are in death : of 
whom may we seek for succour, but of thee, 
O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased ? 

Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most 
mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, 
deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal 
death. 

Thou knowest, Lord,the secrets of our hearts: 



128 BURIAL OF THE DEAD. Ch. 3. 

shut not thy merciful ears to our prayers, but 
spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, 
O holy and merciful Saviour, thou most worthy 
Judge eternal, suffer us not at our last hour 
for any pains of death to fall from thee. 

Then shall be said, 

I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto 
me, Write ; from henceforth blessed are the 
dead who die in the Lord : even so, saith the 
Spirit ; for they rest from their labours. 

Then shall the minister say % 

Lord have mercy upon us. 

Christ have mercy upon us. 

. Lord have mercy upon us. 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be 
thy name ; thy kingdom come ; thy will be 
done on earth as it is in heaven : give us this 
day our daily bread, and forgive us our tres- 
passes, as we forgive them that trespass against 
us : and lead us not into temptation ; but de- 
liver us from evil. Amen. 

The Collect. 

O merciful God, the Father of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the 
life ; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, 
though he die : and whosoever liveth and be- 



Sec. 4. BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 129 

lieveth in him, shall not die eternally. We 
meekly beseech thee, O Father, to raise us 
from the death of sin unto the life of right- 
eousness ; that when we shall depart this life 
we may rest in him ; and at the general re- 
surrection on the last day may be found ac- 
ceptable in thy sight, and receive that blessing 
which thy well beloved Son shall then pro- 
nounce to all that love and fear thee, saying, 
Come ye blessed children of my Father, re- 
ceive the kingdom prepared for you from the 
beginning of the w r orld. Grant this, we be- 
seech thee, O merciful Father, through Jesus 
Christ our Mediator and Redeemer. ' Amen. 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and 
the love of God, and the fellowship of the 
Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen. 

6* 



130 ORDINATION OF DEACONS. Ch. 4. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE FORM AND MANNER OF MAKING AND ORDAINING 
OF BISHOPS, ELDERS, AND DEACONS. 

SECTION I. 
The Form and Manner of making of Deacons, 

[When the day appointed by the bishop is come, there shall be a 
sermon or exhortation, declaring the duty and office of such as come to 
be admitted deacons.] 

After which, one of the elders shall present unto the bishop the persons 
to be ordained deacons, and their names being read aloud, the bishop 
shall say unto the people : — 

Brethren, if there be any of you who know- 
eth any impediment or crime in any of these 
persons presented to be ordained deacons, for 
the which he ought not to be admitted to that 
office, let him come forth in the name of God, 
and show what the crime or impediment is. 

[If any crime or impediment be objected, the bishop shall surcease 
from ordaining that person, until such time as the party accused shall 
be found clear of that crime.] 

Then shall be read the following collect and epistle : — 
The Collect. 

Almighty God, who by thy Divine Provi- 
dence hast appointed divers orders of ministers 
in thy Church, and didst inspire thy apostles 
to choose into the order of deacons thy first 
martyr, St. Stephen, with others : mercifully 



Sec. 1. ORDINATION OF DEACONS. 131 

behold these thy servants, now called to the 
like office and administration; replenish them 
so with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn 
them with innocency of life, that both by word 
and good example they may faithfully serve 
thee in this office to the glory of thy name, 
and the edification of thy Church, through the 
merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth 
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, 
now and for ever. Amen. 

The Epistle. 1 Tim. iii, 8-13. 

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not 
double tongued, not given to much wine, not 
greedy of filthy lucre ; holding the mystery 
of the faith in a pure conscience. And let 
these also first be proved ; then let them use 
the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 
Even so must their wives be grave, not slan- 
derers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the 
deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling 
their children and their own houses well. For 
they that have used the office of a deacon 
well, purchase to themselves a good degree, 
and great boldness in the faith which is in 
Christ Jesus. 

Then shall the bishop examine every one of those who are to be ordained, 
in the presence of the people, after this manner following :— 

Do you trust that you are inwardly moved 



132 ORDINATION OF DEACONS. Ch. 4. 

by the Holy Ghost to take upon you the office 
of the ministry in the Church of Christ, to 
serve God for the promoting of his glory and 
the edifying of his people ? 

Answ. I trust so. 

The bishop. Do you unfeignedly believe all 
the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New- 
Testament ? 

Answ, I do believe them. 

The bishop. Will you diligently read or ex- 
pound the same unto the people whom you 
shall be appointed to serve ? 

Answ. I will. 

The bishop. It appertaineth to the office of 
a deacon to assist the elder in Divine service. 
And especially when he ministereth the holy 
communion, to help him in the distribution 
thereof, and to read and expound the Holy 
Scriptures ; to instruct the youth, and in the 
absence of the elder to baptize. And further- 
more, it is his office to search for the sick, 
poor, and impotent, that they may be visited 
and relieved. Will you do this gladly and 
willingly. 

Answ. I will do so by the help of God. 

The bishop. Will you apply all your dili- 
gence to frame and fashion your own lives 
(and the lives of your families) according to 
the doctrine of Christ; and to make (both) 



SeC. 1. ORDINATION OF DEACONS. 133 

yourselves, (and them,) as much as in you 
lieth, wholesome examples of the flock of 
Christ? 

Ansrv. I will do so, the Lord being my 
helper. 

The bishop. Will you reverently obey them 
to whom the charge and government over you 
is committed, following with a glad mind and 
will their godly admonitions ? 

Answ. I will endeavour so to do, the Lord 
being my helper. 

Then the bishop, laying his hands severally upon the head of every one 
of them, shall say, 

Take thou authority to execute the office 
of a deacon in the Church of God; in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost. Amen, 

Then shall the bishop deliver to every one of them the Holy Bible, 
saying, 

Take thou authority to read the Holy Scrip- 
tures in the Church of God, and to preach the 
same. 

Then one of them appointed by the bishop shall read the gospel. 
Luke xii, 35-38. 

Let your loins be girded about, and your 
lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto 
men that wait for their lord, when he will re- 
turn from the wedding, that when he cometh 



134 ORDINATION OF DEACONS. Ch. 4. 

and knocketh, they may open unto him imme- 
diately. Blessed are those servants whom 
the lord when he cometh shall find watching. 
Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird him- 
self, and make them to sit down to meat, and 
will come forth and serve them. And if he 
shall come in the second watch, or come in 
the third watch, and find them so, blessed are 
those servants. 

[Then shall the bishop proceed in the communion, and all that are 
ordained shall receive the holy communion.] 

The communion ended, immediately before the benediction shall be said 
these collects following : — 

Almighty God, giver of all good things, who 
of thy great goodness hast vouchsafed to ac- 
cept and take these thy servants into the office 
of deacons in thy Church: make them, we 
beseech thee, O Lord, to be modest, humble, 
and constant in their ministration, and to have 
a ready will to observe all spiritual discipline ; 
that they having always the testimony of a 
good conscience, and continuing ever stable 
and strong in thy Son Christ, may so well 
behave themselves in this inferior office, that 
they may be found worthy to be called into 
the higher ministries in thy Church, through 
the same, thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ ; 
to whom be glory and honour, world without 
end. Amen. 



Sec. 2. ORDINATION OF ELDERS. 135 

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with 
thy most gracious favour, and farther us with 
thy continual help ; that in all our works, 
begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may 
glorify thy holy name, and finally, by thy 
mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The peace of God, which passeth all un- 
derstanding, keep your hearts and minds in 
the knowledge and love of God, and of his 
Son Jesus Christ our Lord. And the bless- 
ing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, 
and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and re- 
main with you always. Amen. 



SECTION II. 

The Form and Manner of ordaining Elders. 

[When the day appointed by the bishop is come, there shall be a 
sermon or exhortation, declaring the duty and office of such as come 
to be admitted elders : how necessary that order is in the Church of 
Christ, and also how the people ought to esteem them in their office.] 

After which, one of the elders shall present unto the bishop all them 
that are to be ordamed, and say, 

I present unto you these persons present to 
be ordained elders. 

Then their names being read aloud, the bishop shall say unto the 
people. 

Brethren, these are they whom we purpose, 



136 ORDINATION OF ELDERS. Cll. 4. 

God willing, this day to ordain elders. For 
after due examination, we find not to the con- 
trary, but that they are lawfully called to this 
function and ministry, and that they are per- 
sons meet for the same. But if there be any 
of you who knoweth any impediment or crime 
in any of them, for the which he ought not to 
be received into this holy ministry, let him 
come forth in the name of God, and show 
what the crime or impediment is. 

[If any crime or impediment be objected, the bishop shall surcease 
from ordaining that person until such time as the party accused shall 
be found clear of the crime.] 

Then shall be said the collect, epistle, and gospel, as followeth : — 
The Collect. 

Almighty God, Giver of all good things, 
who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers 
orders of ministers in thy Church ; mercifully 
behold these thy servants now called to the 
office of elders, and replenish them so with 
the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn them with 
innocency of life, that both by word and good 
example they may faithfully serve thee in this 
office, to the glory of thy name, and the edifi- 
cation of thy Church, through the merits of 
our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth and 
reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, world 
without end. Amen. 



Sec. 2. ORDINATION OF ELDERS. 137 

The Epistle. Eph. iv, 7-13. 

Unto every one of us is given grace accord- 
ing to the measure of the gift of Christ. 
Wherefore he saith, when he ascendeth up 
on high, he led captivity captive, and gave 
gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, 
what is it but that he also descended first 
into the lower parts of the earth? He that 
descended is the same also that ascended up 
far above all heavens, that he might fill all 
things.) And he gave some apostles, and 
some prophets, and some evangelists, and 
some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting 
of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for 
the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all 
come in the unity of the faith, and of the 
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect 
man, unto the measure of the stature of the 
fulness of Christ. 

After this shall be read for the gospel, part of the tenth chapter of 
St. John. 

St. John x, 1-16. 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that en- 
tereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but 
climbeth up some other way, the same is a 
thief and a robber. But he that entereth in 
by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep. 



138 ORDINATION OF ELDERS. Ch. 4. 

To him the porter openeth, and the sheep 
hear his voice, and he calleth his own sheep 
by name, and leadeth them out. And when 
he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth be- 
fore them, and the sheep follow him, for they 
know his voice. And a stranger will they 
not follow, but flee from him, for they know 
not the voice of strangers. This parable 
spake Jesus unto them, but they understood 
not w r hat things they were which he spake 
unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, 
Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door 
of the sheep. All that ever came before me 
are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not 
hear them. I am the door; by me if any 
man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go 
in and out and find pasture. The thief cometh 
not but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy ; 
I am come that they might have life, and 
that they might have it more abundantly. I 
am the good shepherd: the good shepherd 
giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is 
a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own 
the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and 
leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf 
catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The 
hireling fleeth because he is a hireling, and 
careth not for the sheep. I am the good 
shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known 



Sec. 2. ORDINATION OF ELDERS. 139 

of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even 
so know I the Father : and I lay down my 
life for the sheep. And other sheep I have 
which are not of this fold ; them also I must 
bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there 
shall be one fold and one shepherd. 

And that done, the lishop shall say unto them as hereafter followeth ;— 

You have heard, brethren, as well in your 
private examination as in the exhortation 
which was now made to you, and in the holy 
lessons taken out of the Gospel, and the wri- 
tings of the apostles, of what dignity, and of 
how great importance this office is whereunto i 
ye are called. And now again we exhort you 
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that 
you have in remembrance, into how high a 
dignity, and to how weighty an office ye are 
called: that is to say, to be messengers, 
watchmen and stewards, of the Lord, to teach 
and to premonish, to feed, and provide for 
the Lord's family, to seek for Christ's sheep 
that are dispersed abroad, and for his children 
who are in the midst of this evil world, that 
they may be saved through Christ for ever. 

Have always therefore printed in your re- 
membrance how great a treasure is committed 
to your charge. For they are the sheep of 
Christ, which he bought with his death, and 



140 ORDINATION OF ELDERS. Ch. 4. 

for whom he shed his blood. The Church 
and congregation whom you must serve, is his 
spouse and his body. And if it shall happen, 
the same Church, or any member thereof, do 
take any hurt or hinderance by reason of your 
negligence, ye know the greatness of the 
fault, and also the horrible punishment that 
will ensue. Wherefore consider with your- 
selves the end of the ministry toward the 
children of God, toward the spouse and body 
of Christ ; and see that you never cease your 
labour, your care, and diligence, until you 
have done all that lieth in you, according to 
•your bounden duty, to bring all such as are 
or shall be committed to your charge, unto 
that agreement in the faith and knowledge of 
God, and to that ripeness and perfectness of 
age in Christ, that there be no place left among 
you, either for error in religion, or for vicious- 
ness in life. 

Forasmuch then as your office is both of 
so great excellency, and of so great difficulty, 
ye see with how great care and study ye 
ought to apply yourselves, as well that ye 
may show yourselves dutiful and thankful 
unto that Lord who hath placed you in so 
high a dignity ; as also to beware that neither 
you yourselves offend, nor be occasion that 
others offend. Howbeit ye cannot have a 



Sec. 2. ORDINATION OF ELDERS. 141 

mind and will thereto of yourselves ; for that 
will and ability is given of God alone ; there- 
fore ye ought, and have need to pray earnestly 
for his Holy Spirit. And seeing that ye can- 
not by any other means compass the doing of 
so weighty a work, pertaining to the salvation 
of man, but with doctrine and exhortation 
taken out of the Holy Scriptures, and with a 
life agreeable to the same ; consider how stu- 
dious ye ought to be in reading and learning 
the Scriptures, and in framing the manners, 
both of yourselves and of them that specially 
pertain unto you, according to the rule of the 
same Scriptures ; and for this self-same cause, 
how ye ought to forsake and set aside (as much 
as you may) all worldly cares and studies. 

We have good hope that you have all 
weighed and pondered these things with 
yourselves long before this time : and that 
you have clearly determined, by God's grace, 
to give yourselves wholly to this office, where- 
unto it hath pleased God to call you : so that, 
as much as lieth in 3^ou, you will apply your- 
selves wholly to this one thing, and draw all 
your cares and studies this way, and that you 
will continually pray to God the Father, by 
the mediation of our only Saviour Jesus 
Christ, for the heavenly assistance of the 
Holy Ghost; that by daily reading and 



142 ORDINATION OF ELDERS.. Ch. 4. 

weighing of the Scriptures, ye may wax 
riper and stronger in your ministry; and that 
ye may so endeavour yourselves from time to 
time to sanctify the lives of you and yours, 
and to fashion them after the rule and doc- 
trine of Christ, that ye may be wholesome 
and godly examples and patterns for the peo- 
ple to follow. 

And now that this present congregation of 
Christ, here assembled, may also understand 
your minds and wills in these things, and that 
this your promise may the more move you to 
do your duties: ye shall answer plainly to 
these things which we, in the name of God 
and his Church, shall demand of you touch- 
ing the same. 

Do you think in your heart that you are 
truly called, according to the will of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, to the order of elders ? 

Answ. I think so. 

The bishop. Are you persuaded that the 
Holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all doc- 
trine required of necessity for eternal salva- 
tion through faith in Jesus Christ ? And are 
you determined out of the said Scriptures to 
instruct the people committed to your charge, 
and to teach nothing as required of necessity 
to eternal salvation, but that which you shall 



SeC. 2. ORDINATION OF ELDERS. 143 

be persuaded may be concluded and proved 
by the Scripture ? 

Answ. I am so persuaded, and have so de- 
termined by God's grace. 

The bishop. Will you then give your faith- 
ful diligence always so to minister the doctrine 
and sacraments, and discipline of Christ, as 
the Lord hath commanded ? 

Answ. I will so do by the help of the Lord ? 

The bishop. Will you be ready w T ith all 
faithful diligence to banish and drive away 
all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary 
to God's word ; and to use both public and 
private monitions and exhortations, as well to 
the sick as to the whole within your charge, 
as need shall require and occasion shall be 
given ? 

Answ. I will, the Lord being my helper. 

The bishop. Will you be diligent in prayers, 
and in reading of the Holy Scriptures, and in 
such studies as help to the knowledge of the 
same, laying aside the study of the world and 
the flesh? 

Answ. I will endeavour so to do, the Lord 
being my helper. 

The bishop. Will you be diligent to frame 
and fashion yourselves, and your families, ac- 
cording to the doctrine of Christ : and to make 
both yourselves and them, as much as in you 



144 ORDINATION OF ELDERS. Ch. 4 

lieth, wholesome examples and patterns to the 
flock of Christ? 

Ansrv. I shall apply myself thereto, the Lord 
being my helper. 

The bishop. Will you maintain, and set for- 
ward, as much as lieth in you, quietness, peace, 
and love, among all Christian people, and 
especially among them that are or shall be 
committed to your charge 1 

Ansrv. I will so do, the Lord being my 
helper. 

The bishop. Will you reverently obey your 
chief ministers, unto whom is committed the 
charge and government over you ; following 
with a glad mind and will their godly admo- 
nitions, submitting yourselves to their godly 
judgments ? 

Ansrv. I will so do, the Lord being my 
helper. 

Then shall the bishop, standing up, say, 

Almighty God, who hath given you this 
will to do all these things, grant also unto you 
strength and power to perform the same ; that 
he may accomplish his w^ork which he hath 
begun in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

[After this the congregation shall be desired secretly in their prayers 
to make their humble supplications to God for all these things : for the 
which prayers there shall be silence kept for a space.] 



Sec. 2. ORDINATION OF ELDERS. 145 

After which shall be said by the bishop, {the persons to be ordained 
elders all kneeling,) Veni Creator Spiritus, the bishop beginning, 
and the elders and others that are present, answering by verse, as 
followeth : — 

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, 
And lighten with celestial fire. 
Thou the anointing Spirit art, 
Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart. 
Thy blessed unction from above 
Is comfort, life, and fire of love. 
Enable with perpetual light 
The dulness of our blinded sight, 
Anoint and cheer our soiled face 
With the abundance of thy grace : 
Keep far our foes, give peace at home, 
Where thou art guide no ill can come : 
Teach us to know the Father, Son, 
And thee, of both to be but one : 
That through the ages all along, 
This may be our endless song : 
Praise to thy eternal merit, 
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

That done, the bishop shall pray in this wise, and say, 
Let us pray. 

Almighty God and heavenly Father, who of 
thine infinite love and goodness toward us, 
hast given to us thy only and most dearly be- 
loved Son Jesus Christ to be our Redeemer, 

7 



146 ORDINATION OF ELDERS. Ch. 4. 

and the author of everlasting life ; who after 
he had made perfect our redemption by his 
death, and was ascended into heaven, sent 
abroad into the world his apostles, prophets, 
evangelists, doctors, and pastors, by whose 
labour and ministry he gathered together a 
great flock in all parts of the world, to set 
forth the eternal praise of thy holy name : 
for these so great benefits of thy eternal good- 
ness, and for that thou hast vouchsafed to call 
these thy servants here present to the same 
office and ministry appointed for the salvation 
of mankind, we render unto thee most hearty 
thanks : we praise and worship thee ; and we 
humbly beseech thee by the same, thy blessed 
Son, to grant unto all who either here or else- 
where call upon thy name, that we may con- 
tinue to show ourselves thankful unto thee for 
these, and all other thy benefits, and that we 
may daily increase and go forward in the 
knowledge and faith of thee and thy Son, by 
the Holy Spirit. So that as well by these thy 
ministers, as by them over whom they shall 
be appointed thy ministers, thy holy name may 
be for ever glorified, and thy blessed kingdom 
enlarged through the same, thy Son Jesus 
Christ our Lord : who liveth and reigneth with 
thee in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, 
world without end. Amen. 



SeC. 2. ORDINATION OF ELDERS. 147 

When this prayer is done, the bishop, with the elders present, shall lay 
their hands severally upon the head of every one that receiveth the 
order of elders ; the receivers humbly kneeling upon their knees, and 
the bishop saying, 

The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Ghost 
for the office and work of an elder in the 
Church of God, now committed unto thee by 
the imposition of ourjiands. And be thou a 
faithful dispenser of the word of God, and of 
his holy sacraments ; in the name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen, , 

Then the bishop shall deliver to every one of them, kneeling, the Bible 
into his hands, saying, 

Take thou authority to preach the word of 
God, and to administer the holy sacraments in 
the congregation. 

Then the bishop shall say, 

Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to 
send upon these thy servants thy heavenly* 
blessings, that they maybe clothed with right- 
eousness, and that thy word spoken by their 
mouths may have such success, that it may 
never be spoken in vain. Grant also that we 
may have grace to hear and receive what they 
shall deliver out of thy most holy word, or 
agreeably to the same, as the means of our 
salvation; and that in all our words and deeds 



148 ORDINATION OF ELDERS. Ch. 4. 

we may seek thy glory, and the increase of 
thy kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with 
thy most gracious favour, and farther us with 
thy continual help, that in all our works be- 
gun, continued, and ended in thee, we may 
glorify thy holy name^ and finally, by thy 
mercy obtain everlasting life, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The peace of God which passeth all under- 
standing, keep your hearts and minds in the 
knowledge and love of God, and of his Son 
Jesus Christ our Lord ; and the blessing of 
God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost be among you, and remain with 
you always. Amen. 

*** [If on the same day the order of deacons be given to some, and 
that of elders to others, the deacons shall be first presented, and then 
the elders. The collects shall both be used : first that for deacons, 
then that for elders. The epistle shall be Ephes. iv, 7 to 13, as before 
in this office. Immediately after which, they that are to be ordained 
deacons shall be examined and ordained as is above prescribed. Then 
one of them having read the Gospel, which shall be St. John x, 1, as 
before in this office ; they that are to be ordained elders shall likewise 
be examined and ordained, as in this office before appointed.] 



Sec. 3. ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. 149 



SECTION III. 

The Form of ordaining a Bishop, 

The Collect. 

Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus 
Christ didst give to thy holy apostles many 
excellent gifts, and didst charge them to feed 
thy flock ; give grace, we beseech thee, to all 
the ministers and pastors of thy Church, that 
they may diligently preach thy word and duly 
administer the godly discipline thereof; and 
grant to the people that they may obediently 
follow the same ; that all may receive the 
crown of everlasting glory, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Then shall he read hy one of the elders. 
The Epistle. Acts xx, 17-35. 

From Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus and 
called the elders of the Church. And when 
they were come to him, he said unto them, 
Ye know from the first day that I came into 
Asia, after what manner I have been with you 
at all seasons, serving the Lord with all hu- 
mility of mind, and with many tears and temp- 
tations which befell me by the lying in wait 
of the Jews ; and how I kept back nothing 
that was profitable unto you, but have showed 



150 ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. Ch. 4. 

you, and have taught you publicly and from 
house to house, testifying both to the Jews, 
and also to the Greeks, repentance toward 
God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 
And now behold, I go bound in the spirit unto 
Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall 
befall me there ; save that the Holy Ghost 
witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds 
and afflictions abide me. But none of these 
things move me, neither count I my life dear 
unto myself, so that I might finish my course 
with joy, and the ministry which I have re- 
ceived of the Lord Jesus to testify the Gospel 
of the grace of God. And now, behold, I 
know that ye all, among whom I have gone 
preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my 
face no more. Wherefore I take you to record 
this day, that I am pure from the blood of all 
men. Fori have not shunned to declare unto 
you all the counsel of God. Take heed, there- 
fore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over 
the which the Holy Ghost hath made you 
overseers, to feed the Church of God which 
he hath purchased with his own blood. For 
I know this, that after my departing shall 
grievous wolves enter in among you, not spar- 
ing the flock. Also of your own selves shall 
men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw 
away disciples after them. Therefore watch, 



Sec. 3. ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. 151 

and remember that by the space of three years, 
I ceased not to warn every one night and day 
with tears. And now, brethren, I commend 
you to God, and to the word of his grace, 
which is able to build you up, and to give you 
an inheritance among them who are sanctified. 
I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or 
apparel : yea, ye yourselves know that these 
hands have ministered unto my necessities, 
and to them that were with me. I have showed 
you all things, how that so labouring ye ought 
to support the weak ; and to remember the 
words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is 
more blessed to give than to receive. 

Then another shall read 
The Gospel St. John xxi, 15-17. 

Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of 
Jonas, lovest thou me more than these ? He 
saith unto him, Yea, Lord ; thou knowest that 
I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my 
lambs. He saith unto him again the second 
time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me ? 
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord ; thou knowest 
that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed 
my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, 
Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me ? Peter 
was grieved because he said unto him the 
third time, Lovest thou me ? And he said unto 



152 ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. Ch. 4. 

him, Lord, thou knowest all things : thou 
knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto 
him, Feed my sheep. 

Or this: St. Matt, xxviii, 18-20. 

i 

Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, 
All power is given unto me in heaven and in 
earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, 
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and 
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost : teaching 
them to observe all things whatsoever I have 
commanded you ; and lo, I am with you al- 
way, even unto the end of the world. 

After the gospel and the sermon are ended, the elected person shall he 
presented by two elders unto the bishop, saying, 

We present unto you this holy man to be 
ordained a bishop. 

Then tlie bishop shall move the congregation present to pray, saying 
thus to them : — 

Brethren, it is written in the Gospel of St. 
Luke, that our Saviour Christ continued the 
whole night in prayer before he did choose 
and send forth his twelve apostles. It is 
written also in the Acts of the Apostles, that 
the disciples who were at Antioch did fast 
and pray before they laid hands on Paul and 
Barnabas, and sent them forth. Let us, there- 
fore, following the example of our Saviour 
Christ, and his apostles, first fall to prayer 



Sec. 3. ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. 153 

before we admit, and send forth this person 
presented to us, to the work whereunto we 
trust the Holy Ghost hath called him. 

Then shall be said this 'prayer following ; — 

Almighty God, Giver of all good things, 
who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers 
orders of ministers in thy Church : mercifully 
behold this thy servant now called to the work 
and ministry of a bishop, and replenish him 
so with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn 
him with innocency of life, that both by word 
and deed he may faithfully serve thee in this 
office, to the glory of thy name, and the edify- 
ing and well governing of thy Church, through 
the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who 
liveth and reigneth with thee, and the Holy 
Ghost, world without end. Amen. 

Then tlic bishop shall say to him that is to be ordained : — 

Brother, forasmuch as the Holy Scripture 
commands that we should not be hasty in 
laying on hands, and admitting any person to 
government in the Church of Christ, which 
he hath purchased with no less price than the 
effusion of his own blood ; before I admit you 
to this administration, I will examine you on 
certain articles, to the end that the congrega- 
tion present may have a trial, and bear witness 

7* 



154 ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. Ch. 4. 

how you are minded to behave yourself in the 
Church of G od. 

Are you persuaded that you are truly called 
to this ministration, according to the will of 
our Lord Jesus Christ? 

Answ. I am so persuaded. 

The bishop. Are you persuaded that the 
Holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all doc- 
trine required of necessity for eternal salva- 
tion, through faith in Jesus Christ? And are 
you determined, out of the same Holy Scrip- 
tures, to instruct the people committed to your 
charge, and to teach or maintain nothing as 
required of necessity to eternal salvation but 
that which you shall be persuaded may be 
concluded and proved by the same ? 

Answ. I am so persuaded and determined, 
by God's grace. 

The bishop. Will you then faithfully exer- 
cise yourself in the same Holy Scriptures, 
and call upon God by prayer for the true 
understanding of the same, so as you may 
be able by them to teach and exhort with 
wholesome doctrine, and to withstand and 
convince the gainsayers? 

Answ. I will so do, by the help of God. - 

The bishop. Are you ready with faithful 
diligence to banish and drive away all erro- 
neous and strange doctrines contrary to God's 



Sec. 3. ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. 155 

word, and both privately and openly to call 
upon and encourage others to the same ? 

Answ. I am ready, the Lord being my 
helper. 

The bishop. Will you deny all ungodliness 
and worldly lust, and live soberly, righteous- 
ly, and godly in this present world, that you 
may show yourself in all things an example 
of good works unto others, that the adver- 
sary may be ashamed, having nothing to say 
against you ? 

Answ. I will so do, the Lord being my 
helper. 

The bishop. Will you maintain and set for- 
ward as much as shall lie in you, quietness, 
love, and peace among all men : and such as 
shall be unquiet, disobedient, and criminal 
within your district, correct and punish accord- 
ing to such authority as you have by God's 
word, and as shall be committed unto you? 

Answ. I will so do, by the help of God. 

The bishop. Will you be faithful in ordain- 
ing, sending, or laying hands upon others ? 

Answ. I will so be, by the help of God. 

The bishop. Will you show yourself gentle, 
and be merciful for Christ's sake, to poor and 
needy people, and to all strangers destitute 
of help ? 

Answ. I will so show myself, by God's help. 



156 ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. Ch. 4. 

Then the bishop shall say, 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who 
hath given you a good will to do all these 
things, grant also unto you strength and power 
to perform the same ; that he accomplishing 
in you the good work which he hath begun, 
you may be found perfect and irreprehensible 
at the last day, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Then shall Ve?ii, Creator Spiritus, be said. 

Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, 
And lighten with celestial fire. 
Thou the anointing Spirit art, 
Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart 
Thy blessed unction from above 
Is comfort, life, and fire of love. 
Enable with perpetual light 
The dulness of our Minded sight; 
Anoint and cheer our soiled face 
With the abundance of thy grace; 
Keep far our foes, give peace at home ; 
Where thou art Guide, no ill can come. 
Teach us to know the Father, Son, 
And thee of both to be but one; 
That through the ages all along, 
This may be our endless song: 
Praise to thy eternal merit, 
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 



Sec. 3. ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. 157 

That ended, the bishop shall say. 

Lord, hear our prayer. 

Ansrv* And let our cry come unto thee. 

Bishop. Let us pray. 

Almighty God and most merciful Father, 
who of thine infinite goodness hast given 
thine only and dearly beloved Son Jesus 
Christ to be our Redeemer, and the author 
of everlasting life; who after that he had 
made perfect our redemption by his death, 
and was ascended into heaven, poured down 
his gifts abundantly upon men, making some 
apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, 
some pastors, and doctors, to the edifying 
and making perfect his Church : grant, we 
beseech thee, to this thy servant, such grace 
that he may evermore be ready to spread 
abroad thy Gospel, the glad tidings of recon- 
ciliation with thee, and use the authority given 
him, not to destruction, but to salvation ; not 
to hurt, but to help ; so that as a wise and 
faithful servant, giving to the family their 
portion in due season, he may at last be re- 
ceived into everlasting joy, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord, who, with thee and the Holy 
Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world 
without end. Amen. 



158 ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. Ch. 4. 

Then the bishop and elders present shall lay their hands upon the head 
of the elected person, kneeling before them upon his knees, the bishop 
saying, 

Receive the Holy Ghost for the office and 
work of a bishop in the Church of God now 
committed unto thee by the imposition of our 
hands, in the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. — Amen. And 
remember that thou stir up the grace of God 
which is given thee by this imposition of our 
hands ; for God hath not given us the spirit of 
fear, but of power, and love, and soberness. 

Then the bishop shall deliver him the Bible, saying, 

Give heed unto reading, exhortation, and 
doctrine. Think upon the things contained 
in this book. Be diligent in them, that the 
increase coming thereby may be manifest unto 
all men. Take heed unto thyself, and to thy 
doctrine ; for by so doing thou shalt both save 
thyself and them that hear thee. Be to the 
flock of Christ a shepherd, not a wolf: feed 
them, devour them not. Hold up the weak, 
heal the sick, bind up the broken, bring again 
the outcast, seek the lost, be so merciful that 
you may not be too remiss ; so minister disci- 
pline that you forget not mercy ; that when 
the chief Shepherd shall appear, you may 



Sec. 3. ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. 159 

receive the never fading crown of glory, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

[Then the bishop shall administer the Lord's supper, with whom 
the newly ordained bishop and other persons present shall communicate.] 

Immediately before the benediction shall be said the following 
prayers : — 

Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to 
send down upon this thy servant thy heavenly 
blessing, and so endue him with thy Holy 
Spirit, that he, preaching thy word, may not 
only be earnest to reprove, beseech, and re- 
buke with all patience and doctrine, but also 
may be to such as believe a wholesome ex- 
ample in word, in conversation, in love, in 
faith, in chastity, and in purity : that faithfully 
fulfilling his course, at the latter day he may 
receive the crown of righteousness laid up by 
the Lord, the righteous Judge, who liveth and 
reigneth, one God with the Father and the 
Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. 

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with 
thy most gracious favour, and farther us with 
thy continual help, that in all our works be- 
gun, continued, and ended in thee, we may 
glorify thy holy name ; and finally, by thy 
mercy, obtain everlasting life through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The peace of God which passeth all under- 



160 ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. Ch. 4. 

standing, keep your hearts and minds in the 
knowledge and love of God, and of his Son 
Jesus Christ our Lord ; and the blessing of 
God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain with 
you always. Amen, 



END OF THE SPIRITUAL PART. 



PART SECOND. 



THE TEMPORAL ECONOMY 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



SECTION I. 
Of the Boundaries of the Annual Conferences. 

1. The New- York Conference shall in- 
clude all that is now embraced in the New- 
York, White Plains, New-Haven, Poughkeep- 
sie, Hartford, Rhinebeck, Delaware, and New- 
burg Districts. 

2. Providence Conference shall include 
that part of the state of Connecticut lying 
east of the Connecticut River, all the state 
of Rhode Island, and that part of the state 
of Massachusetts lying south-east of a line 
drawn from the north-east corner of the state 
of Rhode Island to the mouth of the Neponset 
River, which line shall so run as to leave the 
Walpole station w T ithin the bounds of the Pro- 
vidence Conference. 



162 boundaries of the Part 2. 

3. New-England Conference shall in- 
clude all the state of Massachusetts lying east 
of the Green Mountains not embraced in the 
New- York, New-Hampshire, and Providence 
Conferences. 

4. Maine Conference shall include all 
the state of Maine, and that part of the state 
of New-Hampshire lying east of the White 
Hills, and north of the waters of Ossipee 
Lake. 

5. New-Hampshire Conference shall in- 
clude all the state of New-Hampshire not em- 
braced in the Maine Conference, that part of 
the state of Vermont east of the Green Moun- 
tains, and that part of the state of Massachu- 
setts north-east of the Merrimack River. 

6. Troy Conference shall include the 
Albany, Troy, Poultney, Burlington, and 
Plattsburg Districts. 

7. Black River Conference shall in- 
clude that part of the state of New-York west 
of the Troy Conference not embraced in the 
Genesee Conference, as far south as the Erie 
canal, and all the societies on the immediate 
banks of said canal, except Utica and Canis- 
tota. 

8. Oneida Conference shall include that 
part of the state of New- York east of Cayu- 
ga Lake not embraced in the New- York, 



SeC. 1. ANNUAL CONFERENCES. 163 

Troy, and Black River Conferences, and the 
Susquehannah District, in the state of Penn- 
sylvania. 

9. Genesee Conference shall include 
that part of the state of New-York lying 
west of a line running south from Lake On- 
tario, by way of Cayuga Lake, to Pennsylva- 
nia, not embraced in the Erie Conference, and 
so much of the north part of the state of 
Pennsylvania as is included in Seneca Lake, 
Dansville, and Cataraugus Districts. 

10. Erie Conference shall be bounded 
on the north by Lake Erie, on the east by a 
line commencing at the mouth of Cataraugus 
Creek, thence to the Alleghany River at the 
mouth of Tunanquant Creek, thence up said 
creek eastward to the ridge dividing- between 
the waters of Clarion and Sinnamahoning 
Creeks, thence east to the head of Mahoning 
Creek, thence down said creek to the Alle- 
ghany River, thence across said river in a 
north-westerly direction to the Western Re- 
serve line, including the north part of Butler 
and Newcastle circuits, thence west to the 
Ohio canal, thence along said canal to Lake 
Erie, including Cleaveland city. 

11. Pittsburg Conference shall be bound- 
ed on the north by the Erie Conference, on 
the east by the Alleghany Mountains, on the 



164 boundaries of the Part 2. 

south by a line stretching from the head of 
Tygert's Valley to the Ohio River, so as to 
embrace Middleburn circuit and Kanawha 
mission, thence to the mouth of the Muskin- 
gum River, and up said river, exclusive of the 
towns of Marietta and Zanesville, to the Tus- 
carawas River, and thence up said river to the 
line of the Erie Conference. 

12. Ohio Conference shall commence at 
the mouth of the Great Miami River, running 
north with the state line to the line of Dark 
county, excluding Elizabethtown, thence east- 
wardly along the line of the North Ohio Con- 
ference, so as to exclude the circuits of Green- 
ville, Sidney, (except Westville and M'Far- 
lands,) Belfontaine, Allen mission, Richwood, 
Marion, Delaware, and Roscow, to the Mus- 
kingum River, thence down said river so as 
to include the towns of Zanesville and Ma- 
rietta, and Kanawha District, in Virginia, 
thence down the Ohio River to the place of 
beginning. 

13. North Ohio Conference shall em- 
brace all that part of the state of Ohio not 
included in the Ohio, Pittsburg, and Erie 
Conferences. 

14. Michigan Conference shall include 
the state of Michigan. 

15. Indiana Conference shall include all 



Sec. 1. ANNUAL CONFERENCES. 165 

the state of Indiana, and Elizabethtown in 
Ohio. 

16. Rock River Conference shall include 
that part of the state of Illinois not embraced 
in the Illinois Conference, and the Wisconsin 
and Iowa Territories. 

17. Illinois Conference shall include the 
state of Illinois, except that part north of the 
following line, viz. : — Beginning at the mouth 
of Rock River, thence up said river to the 
mouth of Green River, thence up said river 
to the Winnebago Swamp, thence down the 
south branch of the Bureau River to the 
Illinois River, thence up said river to the 
mouth of the Kankakee, thence up the Kan- 
kakee River to the east line of the state of 
Illinois. 

18. Missouri Conference shall include 
the state of Missouri, and that part of Missouri 
Territory which lies north of the Cherokee 
line. 

19. Kentucky Conference shall include 
the state of Kentucky, except so much of 
the said state as lies west of the Tennessee 
River. 

20. Holston Conference shall include 
East Tennessee, and that part of the states 
of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, 
and Virginia, now embraced in the Newtown, 



186 boundaries of the Part 2. 

Ashville, Wytheville, Abingdon, and Green- 
ville Districts. 

21. Tennessee Conference shall include 
Middle Tennessee and North Alabama. 

22. Memphis Conference shall be bound- 
ed on the east by the Tombigbee River, Ala- 
bama state line, and Tennessee River, on the 
north by the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, west 
by the Mississippi River, and south by a line 
running due east from the Mississippi River to 
the south-west corner of Tallahatchie county, 
thence due east to the south-eastern corner of 
Yallabusha county, thence in a straight line to 
the north-western corner of Oktibaha county, 
thence due east to the Tombigbee River. 

23. Arkansas Conference shall include 
the state of Arkansas, that part of Missouri 
Territory south of the Cherokee line, and so 
much of Texas as is now embraced in the 
Red River District. 

24. Texas Conference shall include the 
Republic of Texas, except what is embraced 
in the Red River District, Arkansas Confer- 
ence. 

25. Mississippi Conference shall include 
all that part of the state of Mississippi not 
embraced in the Alabama and Memphis Con- 
ferences, and all the state of Louisiana. 

26. Alabama Conference shall include 



Sec. 1. ANNUAL CONFERENCES. 167 

South Alabama, West Florida, and the coun- 
ties of Jackson, Greene, Wayne, Clark, Lau- 
derdale, Kemper, Noxubee, Lowndes, and that 
part of Monroe east of the Tombigbee River, 
in the state of Mississippi. 

27. Georgia Conference shall include 
all the state of Georgia, except what is now 
embraced in the Newtown District, in the Hol- 
ston Conference, East and Middle Florida. 

28. South Carolina Conference shall 
include the state of South Carolina, (except 
that part of said state now embraced in the 
Holston Conference,) and so much of North 
Carolina as is included in the Lincolnton and 
Wilmington Districts. 

29. North Carolina Conference shall 
be bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, 
on the north by Albemarle Sound, Roanoke 
and Staunton Rivers, on the west by the top 
of the Blue Ridge, including the counties of 
Wilkes and Iredell, on the south by the south 
lines of Iredell, Rowan, Davidson, Randolph, 
and Chatham, thence by Cape Fear River, 
except those appointments now included in 
the Wilmington and Lincolnton Districts. 

30. Virginia Conference shall be bounded 
on the east by the Chesapeake Bay and the 
Atlantic Ocean, on the south by Albemarle 
Sound, Roanoke and Staunton Rivers, on the 



168 boundaries, etc. Part 2. 



west by the Blue Ridge, on the north by the 
Rappahannock River, except Fredericksburg 
and Port Royal. 

31. Baltimore Conference shall include 
the remaining part of Virginia not embraced 
in the Virginia, Holston, Ohio, Pittsburg, and 
Philadelphia Conferences, the Western Shore 
of Maryland, except a small portion included 
in the Pittsburg Conference, and that part of 
Pennsylvania lying east of the Alleghany 
Mountains and west of Susquehannah River, 
including Northumberland District. 

32. Philadelphia Conference shall in- 
clude the Eastern Shore of Maryland and 
Virginia, the state of Delaware, and all that 
part of Pennsylvania lying between the Sus- 
quehannah and Delaware Rivers, except so 
much as is included in the Baltimore, Oneida, 
and New- Jersey Conferences. 

33. New- Jersey Conference shall include 
the whole state of New- Jersey, Staten Island, 
and so much of the states of New-York and 
Pennsylvania as is now included in the Pater- 
son District. 

34. There shall be an Annual Conference 
on the western coast of Africa, to be denomi- 
nated The Liberia Mission Annual Con- 
ference, possessing all the rights, powers, 
and privileges of other annual conferences, 



Sec. 2. BUILDING OF CHURCHES. 169 

except that of sending delegates to the Gene- 
ral Conference, and of drawing its annual 
dividend from the avails of the Book Concern 
and of the Chartered Fund. 

Quest. 2. How are the districts to be 
formed ? 

Anstv. According to the judgment of the 
bishops. 

In case there be no bishops to travel through 
the districts and exercise the episcopal office, 
on account of death or otherwise, the districts 
shall be regulated in every respect by the" an- 
nual conferences and the presiding elders, in 
the interval of General Conference, ordination 
only excepted. 

Each annual conference shall pay its pro- 
portionate part toward the allowance of each 
one of the bishops, their widows and orphans. 



SECTION II. 
Of building Churches, and the Order to be observed therein. 

Quest. 1. Is any thing advisable in regard 
to building ? 

Answ. Let all our churches be built plain 
and decent, and with free seats; but not more 
expensive than is absolutely unavoidable ; 
otherwise the necessity of raising money will 
make rich men necessary to us. But if so, 

8 



170 building of churches. Part 2. 

we must be dependant on them, yea, and 
governed by them. And then farewell to 
Methodist discipline, if not doctrine too. 

2. In order more effectually to prevent our 
people from contracting debts which they are 
not able to discharge, it shall be the duty of 
the quarterly conference, of every circuit and 
station, where it is contemplated to build a 
house or houses of worship, to secure the 
ground or lot on which such house or houses 
are to be built, according to our deed of settle- 
ment, which deed must be legally executed ; 
and also said quarterly conference shall ap- 
point a judicious committee of at least three 
members of our Church, who shall form an 
estimate of the amount necessary to build; and 
three-fourths of the money, according to such 
estimate, shall be secured or subscribed before 
any such building shall be commenced. 

3. In future, we will admit no charter, deed, 
or conveyance, for any house of worship to 
be used by us, unless it be provided in such 
charter, deed, or conveyance, that the trustees 
of said house shall at all times permit such 
ministers and preachers belonging to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church as shall from 
time to time be duly authorized by the General 
Conference of the ministers of our Church, or 
by the annual conferences, to preach and ex- 



Sec. 2. BUILDING OF CHURCHES. 171 

pound God's holy word, and to execute the 
discipline of the Church, and to administer the 
sacraments therein, according to the true mean- 
ing and purport of our deed of settlement. 

4. As it is contrary to our economy to build 
houses with pews to sell or rent, it shall be 
the duty of the several annual conferences to 
use their influence to prevent houses from 
being so built in future ; and as far as pos- 
sible to make those houses free which have 
already been built with pews. 

5. No person shall be eligible as a trustee 
to any of our houses, churches, or schools, 
who is not a regular member of our Church. 

6. No person who is a trustee shall be 
ejected while he is in joint security for money, 
unless such relief be given him as is demanded, 
or the creditor will accept. 

Quest. 2. Is there any exception to the rule, 
"Let the men and women sit apart?" 

4-nsiv. There is no exception. Let them sit 
apart in all our churches. 

Quest. 3. Is there not a great indecency 
sometimes practised among us, viz., talking 
in the congregation before and after service ? 
How shall this be cured ? 

Answ. Let all the ministers and preachers 
join as one man, and enlarge on the impro- 
priety of talking before or after service ; and 



172 DEED OF SETTLEMENT. Part 2. 

strongly exhort those that are concerned to do 
it no more. In three months, if we are in ear- 
nest, this vile practice will be banished out of 
every Methodist congregation. Let none stop 
till he has carried his point. 

Quest. 4. What shall be done for the security 
of our preaching houses, and the premises be- 
longing thereto ? 

Answ. Let the following plan of a deed of 
settlement be brought into effect in all possible 
cases, and as far as the laws of the states 
respectively will admit of it. But each annual 
conference is authorized to make such modifi- 
cation in the deeds as they may find the dif- 
ferent usages and customs of law require in 
the different states and territories, so as to se- 
cure the premises firmly by deed, and perma- 
nently to the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
according to the true intent and meaning of 
the following form of a deed of settlement ; 
any thing in the said form to the contrary not- 
withstanding. 

This Indenture, made this 
day of in the year of our Lord 

one thousand hundred and 

between of the in the 

state of (if the grantor be mar- 

ried, insert the name of his wife) of the one 
part, and trustees, in trust 



Sec. 2. DEED OF SETTLEMENT. 173 

for the uses and purposes herein after men- 
tioned, all of the in the stato 
of aforesaid, of the other part, 
Witnesseth, that the said (if 
married, insert the name of his wife,) for and 
in consideration of the sum of 
specie, to in hand paid, at 
and upon the sealing and delivery of these 
presents, the receipt whereof is hereby ac- 
knowledged, hath (or have) given, granted, 
bargained, sold, released, confirmed, and con- 
veyed, and by these presents doth (or do) give, 
grant, bargain, sell, release, confirm, and con- 
vey unto them, the said 

and their successors, (trus- 
tees, in trust for the uses and purposes herein 
after mentioned and declared,) all the estate, 
right, title, interest, property, claim, and de- 
mand whatsoever, either in law or equity, 
which he the said (if 

married, here insert the name of his wife) hath 
(or have) in, to, or upon all and singular a 
certain lot, or piece of land, situate, lying, and 
being in the and state aforesaid, 

bounded and butted as follows, to wit, (here 
insert the several courses and distances of the 
land to the place of beginning,) containing and 
laid out for acres of land, 

together with all and singular the houses, 



174 DEED OF SETTLEMENT. Part 2. 

woods, waters, ways, privileges, and appur- 
tenances thereto belonging, or in any wise per- 
taining: to have and to hold all and singular, 
the above mentioned and described lot or 
piece of land, situate, lying, and being as 
aforesaid, together with all and singular the 
houses, woods, waters, ways, and privileges 
thereto belonging, or in any wise appertaining 
unto them the said and their 

successors in office for ever in trust, that they 
shall erect and build, or cause to be erected 
and built thereon, a house or place of worship 
for the use of the members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in the United States of 
America, according to the rules and discipline 
which from time to time may be agreed upon 
and adopted by the ministers and preachers 
of the said Church at their General Confer- 
ences in the United States of America ; and 
in farther trust and confidence that they shall 
at all times, for ever hereafter, permit such 
ministers and preachers belonging to the said 
Church, as shall from time to time be duly 
authorized by the General Conferences of the 
ministers and preachers of the said Methodist 
Episcopal Church, or by the annual confer- 
ences authorized by the said General Confer- 
ence, to preach and expound God's holy word 
therein ; and in farther trust and confidence, 



Sec. 2. DEED OF SETTLEMENT. 175 

that as often as any one or more of the trus- 
tees herein before mentioned shall die, or cease 
to be a member or members of the said Church 
according to the rules and discipline as afore- 
said, then and in such case it shall be the duty 
of the stationed minister or preacher (autho- 
rized as aforesaid) who shall have the pastoral 
charge of the members of the said Church, to 
call a meeting of the remaining trustees as 
soon as conveniently may be : and when so 
met, the said minister or preacher shall pro- 
ceed to nominate one or more persons to fill 
the place or places of him or them w 7 hose office 
or offices has (or have) been vacated as afore- 
said. Provided, the person or persons so 
nominated shall have been one year a mem- 
ber or members of the said Church imme- 
diately preceding such nomination, and be at 
least twenty-one years of age ; and the said 
trustees, so assembled, shall proceed to elect, 
and by a majority of votes appoint, the person 
or persons so nominated to fill such vacancy 
or vacancies, in order to keep up the number 
of nine trustees for ever ; and in case of an 
equal number of votes for and against the said 
nomination, the stationed minister or preacher 
shall have the casting vote. 

Provided nevertheless ', That if the said trus- 
tees, or any of them, or their successors, have 



176 DEED OF SETTLEMENT. Part 2. 

advanced, or shall advance, any sum or sums 
of money, or are or shall be responsible for 
any sum or sums of money, on account of the 
said premises, and they the said trustees, or 
their successors, be obliged to pay the said 
sums of money, they, or a majority of them, 
shall be authorized to raise the said sum or 
sums of money, by a mortgage on the said 
premises, or by selling the said premises, after 
notice given to the pastor or preacher who has 
the oversight of the congregation attending 
divine service on the said premises, if the 
money due be not paid to the said trustees, 
or their successors, within one year after such 
notice given : and if such sale take place, the 
said trustees, or their successors, after paying 
the debt and other expenses which are due 
from the money arising from such sale, shall 
deposite the remainder of the money produced 
by the said sale in the hands of the steward or 
stewards of the society belonging to or attend- 
ing divine service on said premises ; which 
surplus of the produce of such sale so de- 
posited in the hands of the said steward or 
stewards shall be at the disposal of the next 
annual conference authorized as aforesaid ; 
which said annual conference shall dispose of 
the said money, according to the best of their 
judgment, for the use of the said society. 



Sec. 2. DEED OF SETTLEMENT. 177 

And the said doth by these pre- 

sents warrant, and for ever defend, all and 
singular the before mentioned and described 
lot or piece of land, with the appurtenances 
thereto belonging unto them the said 

and their successors, chosen and 
appointed as aforesaid, from the claim or 
claims of him the said his heirs and 

assigns, and from the claim or claims of all 
persons whatever. In testimony whereof, the 
said (if married, insert the name 

of his wife,) have hereto set their hands and 
seals, the day and year aforesaid. 
Sealed and delivered in' 

the presence of us 

(Two witnesses.) 

Grantor's (L. S.) 
his wife's (L. S.) 
Received the day of the date ^ 

of the above written in- I 

denture, the consideration j 

therein mentioned in full J 
Witness.] Grantor's (L. S.) 

County , ss. 

Be it remembered, that on the 

day of in the year of our Lord 

one thousand personally appeared 

before me, one of the justices of the peace, 

8* 



178 DEED OP SETTLEMENT. Part 2. 

in and for the county of and state 

of the within named the 

grantor (if married, insert the name of his 
wife) acknowledged the within deed of 
trust to be their act and deed, for the 
rises and purposes therein mentioned and 
declared; and she the said wife 

of the said being separate and 

apart from her said husband, by me exa- 
mined, declared that she had made the 
same acknowledgment, freely and with 
her own consent, without being induced 
thereto through fear or threats of her said 
husband. In testimony whereof I have 
hereto set my hand and seal, the day and 
year first above written. 

Here the justice's name (L. S.) 

N. B. Let nine trustees be appointed for 
preaching houses, where proper persons can 
be procured ; otherwise seven or five. 

The board of trustees of every circuit or 
station shall be responsible to the quarterly 
meeting conference of said circuit or station, 
and shall be required to present a report of 
its acts during the preceding year : provided 
that in all cases, when a new board of trustees 
is to be created, it shall be done (except in 
those states and territories where the statutes 



Sec. 3. STEWARDS OF CIRCUITS. 179 

provide differently) by the appointment of the 
preacher in charge, or the presiding elder of 
the district. 



SECTION III. 

Of the Qualifications, Appointment, and Duty of the Stew- 
ards of Circuits. 

Quest. 1. What are the qualifications ne- 
cessary for stewards ? 

Answ. Let them be men of solid piety, 
who both know and love the Methodist doc- 
trine and discipline, and of good natural and 
acquired abilities to transact the temporal 
business. 

Quest. 2. How are the stewards to be ap- 
pointed ? 

Answ. The preacher having the charge of 
the circuit shall have the right of nomination ; 
but the quarterly meeting conference shall 
confirm or reject such nomination. 

Quest. 3. What are the duties of stewards? 

Answ. To take an exact account of all the 
money, or other provision collected for the 
support of preachers in the circuit; to make 
an accurate return of every expenditure of 
money, whether to the preachers, the sick, or 
the poor ; to seek the needy and distressed in 
order to relieve and comfort them ; to inform 



180 stewards of circuits. Part 2. 

the .preachers of any sick or disorderly per- 
sons ; to tell the preachers what they think 
wrong in them ; to attend the quarterly meet- 
ings of their circuit ; to give advice, if asked ? 
in planning the circuit ; to attend committees 
for the application of money to churches ; to 
give counsel in matters of arbitration; pro- 
vide elements for the Lord's supper; to write 
circular letters to the societies in the circuit 
to be more liberal if need be ; as also to let 
them know, when occasion requires, the state 
of the temporal concerns at the last quarterly 
meeting ; to register the marriages and bap- 
tisms, and to be subject to the bishops, the 
presiding elder, of their district, and the elder, 
deacon, and travelling preachers of their cir- 
cuit. 

Quest. 4. To whom are the stewards ac- 
countable for the faithful performance of their 
duties ? 

Ansrv. To the quarterly meeting confer- 
ence of the circuit or station, which shall 
have power to dismiss or change them at 
pleasure. 

Quest. 5. What number of stewards are 
necessary in each circuit? 

Ansrv. Not less than three, or more than 
seven, one of whom shall be the recording 
steward. 



Sec. 4, ALLOWANCE TO MINISTERS. 181 

SECTION IV. 

Of the Allowance to the Ministers and Preachers, and to 
'their Wives, Widows, and Children. 

1. The annual allowance of the married 
travelling, supernumerary, and superannu- 
ated preachers, and the bishops, shall be 
two hundred dollars, and their travelling ex- 
penses. 

2. The annual allowance of the unmarried 
travelling, supernumerary, and superannua- 
ted preachers, and bishops, shall be one hun- 
dred dollars, and their travelling expenses. 

3. Each child of a travelling preacher or 
bishop shall be allowed sixteen dollars annu- 
ally, to the age of seven years, and twentjr- 
four dollars annually from the age of seven 
to fourteen years ; and those preachers whose 
wives are dead shall be allowed for each child 
annually a sum sufficient to pay the board of 
such child or children during the above term 
of years : Nevertheless, this rule shall not ap- 
ply to the children of preachers whose fami- 
lies are provided for by other means in their 
circuits respectively. 

4. The annual allowance of the widows of 
travelling, superannuated, worn-out, and su- 
pernumerary preachers, and the bishops, shall 
be one hundred dollars. 



182 ALLOWANCE TO MINISTERS. Part 2. 

5. The orphans of travelling, supernume- 
rary, superannuated, and worn-out preachers, 
and the bishops, shall be allowed by the an- 
nual conferences the same sums respectively 
which are allowed to the children of living 
preachers. And on the death of a preacher 
leaving a child or children without so much 
of worldly goods "as should be necessary to 
his, her, or their J support, the annual confer- 
ence of which he was a member shall raise, 
in such manner as may be deemed best, a 
yearly sum for the subsistence and education 
of such orphan child or children, until he, she, 
or they, shall haye arrived at fourteen years 
of age. The amount of which yearly sum 
shall be fixed by a committee of the confer- 
ence at each session in advance. 

6. The more effectually to raise the amount 
necessary to meet the above-mentioned allow- 
ances, let there be made weekly class collec- 
tions in all our societies w r here it is practica- 
ble ; and also for the support of missions and 
missionary schools under our care. 

7. Local preachers have an allowance in 
certain cases, as mentioned sec. ix, p. 209. 



Sec. 5. RAISING ANNUAL SUPPLIES. 183 



SECTION V. 

Of raising Annual Supplies for the Propagation of the 
Gospel, making up the Allowance of the Preachers, SfC. 

1. Every preacher who has the charge of 
a circuit shall earnestly recommend to every 
class or society in his circuit to raise a quar- 
terly or annual collection by voluntary contri- 
bution, or in such other way or manner as 
they may judge most expedient from time to 
time; and the moneys so collected shall be 
lodged w T ith the steward or stewards of the 
circuit, to be brought or sent to the annual 
conferences, with a regular account of the 
sums raised for this purpose in the classes or 
societies respectively. 

2. Wherever there remains in the hands of 
the stewards a surplus of the moneys raised 
for the use of the circuit preachers, after pay- 
ing the allowances of the preachers in the 
circuit, let such surplus be brought or sent to 
the annual conference. 

3. Every preacher who has the charge of 
a circuit shall make a yearly collection, and, 
if expedient, a quarterly one, in every congre- 
gation where there is a probability that the 
people will be willing to contribute ; and the 
money so collected shall be lodged in the 



184 raising annual supplies. Part 2. 

hands of the steward or stewards, and brought 
or sent to the ensuing annual conference. To 
this end, he may read and enlarge upon the 
following hints : — 

" How shall we send labourers into those 
parts where they are most of all wanted? 
Many are willing to hear, but not to bear the 
expense. Nor can it as yet be expected of 
them. Stay till the word of God has touched 
their hearts, and then they will gladly provide 
for them that preach it. Does it not lie upon 
us, in the mean time, to supply their lack of 
service ? To raise money out of which, from 
time to time, that expense may be defrayed ? 
By this means, those who willingly offer them- 
selves may travel through every part, whether 
there be societies or- not, and stay wherever 
there is a call, without being burdensome to 
any. Thus may the Gospel, in the life and 
power thereof, be spread from sea to sea. 
Which of you will not rejoice to throw in 
your mite to promote this glorious work ? 

" Besides this, in carrying on so large a 
work through the continent, there are calls 
for money in various ways, and we must fre- 
quently be at a considerable expense, or the 
work must be at a full stop. Many, too, are 
the occasional distresses of our preachers, or 
their families, which require an immediate 



Sec. 5. RAISING ANNUAL SUPPLIES. 185 

supply, otherwise their hands would hang 
down, if they were not constrained to depart 
from the work. 

" The money contributed will be brought 
to the ensuing conference. 

" Men and brethren, help ! Was there ever 
a call like this since you first heard the Gospel 
sound? Help to relieve your companions in 
the kingdom of Jesus, who are pressed above 
measure. Bear ye one another's burdens, and 
so fulfil the law of Christ. Help to send forth 
able and willing labourers into your Lord's 
harvest: so shall ye be assistants in saving 
souls from death, and hiding a multitude of 
sins. Help to propagate the Gospel of your 
salvation to the remotest corners of the earth, 
till the knowledge of our Lord shall cover the 
land as the waters cover the sea. So shall it 
appear to ourselves and all men, that we are 
indeed one body, united by one spirit; so 
shall the baptized heathens be yet again con- 
strained to say, ' See how these Christians 
love one another!'" 

4. A public collection shall be made at 
every annual and every General Conference, 
for the above purposes. 

5. Let the annual produce of the charter 
fund, as divided among the several confer- 
ences, be applied with the above contribu- 



186 raising annual supplies. Part 2. 

tions : but so as not to militate against the 
rules of the charter fund; and also the an- 
nual dividend arising from the profits of the 
Book Concern. Out of the moneys so col- 
lected, and brought to the respective annual 
conferences, let the various allowances agreed 
upon in the fourth section be made up ; but 
in no case shall an allowance be made to any 
travelling preacher who has travelled in any 
circuit where he might, in the judgment of 
the annual conference, have obtained his full 
quarterage, if he had applied for it : and if at 
any conference there remain a surplus after 
making up all such allowances, the conference 
shall send such surplus forward to that con- 
ference they judge to be the most necessitous. 

6. Every annual conference has full liberty 
to adopt and recommend such plans and rules 
as to them may appear necessary the more 
effectually to raise supplies for the respective 
allowances. Each annual conference is au- 
thorized to raise a fund, if they judge it proper, 
subject to its own control, and under such 
regulations as their wisdom may direct, for 
the relief of the distressed travelling, super- 
annuated, and supernumerary preachers, their 
wives, widows, and children, as also for mis- 
sionary purposes. 

7. It shall be the duty of each annual con- 



Sec. 5. RAISING ANNUAL SUPPLIES. 187 

ference to take measures, from year to year, 
to raise moneys in every circuit and station 
within its bounds, for the relief of its necessi- 
tous superannuated and supernumerary minis- 
ters, widows, and orphans. And the confer- 
ence shall annually appoint a committee to 
estimate the several sums necessary to be 
allowed for the extra expenses of such ne- 
cessitous claimants, who shall be paid in pro- 
portion to the estimates made and the moneys 
in hand. 

8. If the respective allowances are not 
raised as provided for, the Church shall not 
be accountable for the deficiency, as in a 
case of debt. 

9. To defray the expenses of the delegates 
composing the General Conference, a collec- 
tion shall be taken up in each circuit and 
station some time previously to the sitting of 
the conference, and the sums so collected 
shall be brought up to the General Confer- 
ence, and applied to the object herein con- 
templated in proportion to the expenses of 
the several delegates. 

Quest. "What advice or direction shall be 
given concerning the building or renting of 
dwelling houses for the use of the married 
travelling preachers ? 

Answ. It is recommended by the General 



188 RAISING ANNUAL SUPPLIES. Part 2. 

Conference to the travelling preachers, to 
advise our friends in general to purchase a 
lot of ground in each circuit, and to build a 
preacher's house thereon, and to furnish it 
with, at least, heavy furniture, and to settle 
the same on trustees appointed by the quar- 
terly meeting conference, according to the 
deed of settlement published in our form of 
discipline. 

2. The General Conference recommend to 
all the circuits, in cases where they are not 
able to comply with the above request, to 
rent a house for the married preacher and his 
family, (when such are stationed upon their 
circuits respectively,) and that the annual 
conferences do assist to make up the rents 
of such houses as far as they can, when the 
circuit cannot do it. 

The stewards of each circuit and station 
shall be a standing committee, (where no 
trustees are constituted for that purpose,) to 
provide houses for the families of our mar- 
ried preachers, or to assist the preachers to 
obtain houses for themselves when they are 
appointed to labour among them. 

3. It shall be the duty of the presiding 
elders and preachers to use their influence 
to carry the above rules respecting building 
and renting houses for the accommodation 



Sec. 5. RAISING ANNUAL SUPPLIES. 189 

of preachers and their families into effect. 
In order to this, each quarterly meeting con- 
ference shall appoint a committee, (unless 
other measures have been adopted,) who, 
with the advice and aid of the preachers and 
presiding elders, shall devise such means as 
may seem fit to raise moneys for that pur- 
pose. And it is recommended to the annual 
conferences to make a special inquiry of their 
members respecting this part of their duty. 

4. Those preachers who refuse to occupy 
the houses which may be provided for them 
on the stations and circuits where they are 
from time to time appointed, shall be allowed 
nothing for house rent, nor receive any thing 
more than quarterage for themselves, their 
wives, and children, and their travelling ex- 
penses. Nevertheless, this rule shall not ap- 
ply to those preachers whose families are 
either established within the bounds of their 
circuits, or are so situated that in the judg- 
ment of the stewards, or the above-mentioned 
committee, it is not necessary, for the benefit 
of the circuit, to remove them. 

5. It shall be the duty of the said committee, 
or one appointed for that purpose, who shall 
be members of our Church, to make an esti- 
mate of the amount necessary to furnish fuel 
and table expenses for the family or families 



190 RAISING ANNUAL SUPPLIES. Part 2. 

of preachers stationed with them, and the 
stewards shall provide, by such means as they 
may devise, to meet such expenses, in money 
or otherwise : provided the stewards shall not 
appropriate the moneys collected for the regular 
quarterly allowance of the preachers to the 
payment of family expenses. 

6. There shall be a meeting in every dis- 
trict, of one steward from each station and cir- 
cuit, to be selected from among the stewards 
by the quarterly meeting conference, whose 
duty it shall be, by and with the advice of the 
presiding elder, (who shall preside in such 
meeting,) to take into consideration the general 
state of the district in regard to temporalities, 
and to furnish a house, fuel, and table expenses, 
for the presiding elder, and to apportion his 
entire claim among the different circuits and 
stations- in the district according to their 
several ability. 

7. 'Each annual conference in which a bishop 
or bishops may reside shall annually appoint 
a committee of three or more, whose duty it 
shall be to estimate the amount necessary to 
furnish a house, fuel, and table expenses for 
said bishop or bishops, and that they be autho- 
rized to draw on the funds of the Book Con- 
cern for said amount. 



Sec. 6. SUPPORT OF MISSIONS. 191 

SECTION VI. 
Support of Missions, 

It shall be the duty of each annual confer- 
ence, where missions have been or are to be 
established, to appoint a standing committee, 
to be denominated the mission committee, 
(which shall keep a record of its doings, and 
report the same to its conference,) whose duty 
it shall be, in conjunction with the president 
of the conference, to make an estimate of the 
amount necessary for the support of each 
mission and mission school, in addition to the 
regular allowance of the discipline to preach- 
ers and their families from year to year : for 
which amount the president of the conference 
for the time being shall draw on the treasurer 
of the society in quarterly instalments. 

2. Whenever a foreign mission is to be 
established, either among the aborigines of 
our country or elsewhere, it shall be the duty 
of the bishop making such appointment imme- 
diately to notify the treasurer of the mission- 
ary society of the place, the number of mis- 
sionaries to be employed, together with the 
probable amount necessary for the support of 
any such mission, which information shall be 
laid before the managers of the society ; and 



192 support of missions. Part 2. 

they shall make an appropriation according to 
their judgment, from year to year, of the 
amount called for to sustain and prosecute 
the mission or missions designated ; for which 
amount the missionary, or the superintendent 
of the mission or missions, shall have autho- 
rity to draw on the treasurer of the society in 
quarterly or half yearly instalments. 

3. It is recommended that within the bounds 
of each annual conference there be established 
a conference missionary society, auxiliary to 
the Missionary Society of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, with branches, under such regu- 
lations as the conferences respectively shall 
prescribe. Each conference missionary society 
shall annually transmit to the corresponding 
secretary of the parent society a copy of its 
annual report, embracing the operations of its 
branches, and shall also notify the treasurer 
of the amount collected in aid of the mission- 
ary cause, which amount shall be subject to 
the order of the treasurer of the parent 
society. 

4. The treasurer of the parent society, under 
the direction of the board of managers, shall 
give information to the bishops annually, or 
oftener, if the board judge it expedient, of the 
state of the funds and the sums which may be 
drawn by them for the missionary purposes 



Sec. 6. SUPPORT OF MISSIONS. 193 

contemplated by the constitution. Agreeably 
to which information the bishops shall have 
authority to draw upon the treasurer for any 
sum within the amount designated, which the 
missionary committee of the annual confer- 
ences respectively shall judge necessary for 
the support of the missionaries and of the mis- 
sion schools under their care. Provided al- 
ways, that the sums so allowed for the support 
of a missionary shall not exceed the usual 
allowance of other itinerant preachers. The 
bishops shall always promptly notify the trea- 
surer of all drafts made by them, and shall 
require regular quarterly communications to 
be made by each of the missionaries to the 
corresponding secretary of the parent society, 
giving information of the state and prospects 
of the several missions in w r hich they are em- 
ployed. No one shall be acknowledged a 
missionary, or receive support out of the 
funds of the society, who has not some definite 
field assigned to him, or who could not be an 
effective labourer on a circuit. 

5. In all cases of the appointment of a mis- 
sionary, the name of such missionary and the 
district in which he is to labour, together with 
the probable expenses of the mission, shall be 
communicated by the bishop or the mission 
committee of each annual conference to the 

9 



194 support of missions. Part 2; 

treasurer of the parent society, that a proper 
record of the same may be preserved. 

6. In all places where drafts are drawn in 
favour of any mission, if there be funds in the 
possession of any auxiliary conference mis- 
sionary society, where such mission is esta- 
blished, the drafts for the support of the mis- 
sion shall be paid from said funds : if there be 
no auxiliary society, and there be money be- 
longing to the Book Concern, the book com- 
mittee or presiding elders, or preachers, shall 
pay the missionary drafts from the book money 
which may be in their possession; which 
drafts, when paid, shall be transmitted to the 
treasurer at New- York ; and in no case, where 
any such moneys are at command, shall the 
drafts be sent to the treasurer in New- York 
to be paid. 

7. The corresponding secretary shall, by 
virtue of his office, be a member of the New- 
York conference, to which, in the interval of 
the General Conference, he shall be held re- 
sponsible for his conduct, and the New- York 
conference shall have power, by and with the 
advice of the managers of the Missionary So- 
ciety of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
consent of the bishop presiding, to remove him 
from office ; and in case of removal, death, or 
resignation, the New- York conference, with 



Sec. 6. suppout of missions. 195 

the concurrence of the presiding bishop, shall 
fill the vacancy until the next ensuing General 
Conference. 

8. There shall also be a secretary for the 
south and south-west, to labour in connection 
with the missions to the slaves, and to attend 
to the interests of the Missionary Society in 
such way and manner as the board of managers 
may direct. Should his office become vacant 
by death or otherwise, the board may fill the 
place until the next sitting of the annual con- 
ference to which he belongs, who shall then 
fill the vacancy until the next session of the 
General Conference. 

9. There shall be another secretary, to re- 
side in the west, to labour in connection with 
the Indian missions, and to attend to the in- 
terests of the Missionary Society in such way 
and manner as the board of managers may 
direct. Should his office become vacant by 
death or otherwise, the board may fill the place 
until the next sitting of the annual conference 
to which he belongs, who shall then fill the 
vacancy until the next session of the General 
Conference. 

10. It shall be the duty of the bishops to 
instruct all our foreign missionaries, that when- 
ever they come in contact with any of the 
missionaries belonging to the Wesleyan 



196 CHARTERED FUND. Part 2. 

Methodist Conference, they shall not interfere 
in their respective charges any farther than to 
help them in their work when requested ; but 
shall, on all occasions, cultivate a spirit of 
friendship and brotherly affection, as brethren 
engaged in the same common cause, namely, 
the salvation of the world, by grace through 
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 



SECTION VII. 
Of the Chartered Fund, 

Quest. What farther provision shall be 
made for the distressed travelling preachers, 
for thp families of travelling preachers, and 
for the superannuated and worn-out preach- 
ers, and the widows and orphans of preach- 
ers ? 

Answ. There shall be a chartered fund, to 
be supported by the voluntary contributions 
of our friends : the principal stock of which 
shall be funded under the direction of trus- 
tees, chosen by the General Conference, and 
the interest applied under the direction of the 
General Conference according to the follow- 
ing regulations, viz. : — 

1. The elders, and those who have the 
oversight of circuits, shall be collectors and 
receivers of subscriptions, &c, for this fund. 



Sec. 7. CHARTERED FUND. 197 

2. The money shall, if possible, be convey- 
ed by bills of exchange, or otherwise, through 
the means of the post, to the general book 
steward, who shall pay it to the trustees of 
the fund : otherwise it shall be brought to the 
ensuing annual conference. 

3. The interest shall be divided into thirty- 
three parts, and each of the annual confer- 
ences shall have authority to draw one thirty- 
third part out of the fund ; and if in one or 
more conferences, a part less than one thirty- 
third be drawn out of the fund in any given 
year, then in such case or cases, the other 
annual conferences, held in the same year, 
shall have authority, if they judge it neces- 
sary, to draw out of the fund such surplus of 
the interest which has not been applied by 
the former conferences : and the bishops shall 
bring the necessary information of the state 
of the interest of the fund, respecting the year 
in question, from conference to conference. 

4. All drafts on the charter fund shall be 
made on the president of the said fund, by 
order of the annual conference, signed by the 
president, and countersigned by the secretary 
of the said conference. 

5. The money subscribed for the chartered 
fund may be lodged on proper securities, in 
the states respectively in which it has been 



198 printing and Part 2. 

subscribed, under the direction of deputies 
living in such states respectively; provided, 
such securities and such deputies be proposed 
as shall be approved of by the trustees in Phi- 
ladelphia ; and the stock in which it is pro- 
posed to lodge the money be sufficiently pro- 
ductive to give satisfaction to the trustees. 



SECTION VIII. 

Of the Printing and Circulating of Books, and of the Pro-* 
fits arising therefrom. 

1. The principal establishment of the Book 
Concern shall be in the city of New- York ; 
and there shall be such other establishments 
as the General Conference may deem expe- 
dient. 

2. There shall be an editor of the Metho- 
dist Quarterly Review, general books, and 
tracts ; and an editor and an assistant editor 
for the Christian Advocate and Journal, the 
Youth's Magazine, and the Sabbath school 
books, who, if chosen from among the travel- 
ling preachers, shall, by virtue of their ap- 
pointment, be members of the New- York con- 
ference, to which, in the interval of the Gene- 
ral Conference, they shall be responsible for 
their conduct in office. 

3. There shall be an agent or general book 



Sec. 8. CIRCULATING OF BOOKS. 199 

steward, and an assistant, both of whom shall 
be chosen from among the travelling preach- 
ers ; and by virtue of their appointments they 
shall be members of the New-York annual 
conference, to which, in the interval of the 
General Conference, they shall be responsi- 
ble for their conduct in office. And the New- 
York conference, in the interval of the Gene- 
ral Conference, shall have power, if they deem 
it necessary, by and with the advice and con- 
sent of the bishops, to remove any of said 
agents and editors from office ; and in case of 
removal, death, or resignation, to provide for 
the vacancy until the next ensuing General 
Conference. 

4. The agent or general book steward shall 
have authority to regulate the publications, 
and all other parts of the business of the Con- 
cern, except w T hat belongs to the editorial de- 
partments, as the state of the finances will 
admit, and the demands may require. It shall 
be his duty to inform the annual conferences 
if any of the preachers or members of the so- 
ciety neglect to make payment. He shall 
also send a copy of the annual exhibit to each 
of the annual conferences, so that such exhibit 
may be laid before the conferences as early 
as possible after it shall have been prepared. 
He shall publish such books and tracts as are 



200 printing and Part 2. 

recommended by the General Conference, 
and may, if approved by the editors and book 
committee, publish such as are recommended 
by an annual conference ; and he may reprint 
any book or tract which has been once ap- 
proved and published by us, when in his judg- 
ment, and in the judgment of the editors, the 
same ought to be reprinted : or he may pub- 
lish any new work not before published by 
us, which may be approved by the editors, 
and by the book committee at New-York. 

5. The book committee in New-York shall 
consist of all the preachers stationed for the 
time being in that city by the New-York an- 
nual conference, including the editors, the 
resident corresponding secretary of the Mis- 
sionary Society, and the presiding elder of 
the district. It shall be their duty to examine 
annually into the state of the Book Concern, 
to inspect the accounts of the agents, to make 
a report thereof annually to the New- York 
conference, and to the General Conference at 
its regular sessions. They shall also attend 
to such matters as may be referred to them 
by the editors or agents, in reference to edit- 
ing, printing, or publishing, and also co-ope- 
rate with the editor of the Christian Advocate 
in the selection of Sunday school books and 
tracts. 



Sec. 8. CIRCULATING OF BOOKS, 201 

6. There shall be an establishment of the 
Book Concern in the city of Cincinnati, which 
shall be conducted by an agent and an assist- 
ant, chosen from among the travelling preach- 
ers, who shall manage the business in the 
western country so as to co-operate with the 
agents at New- York, and who, by virtue of 
their appointment, shall be members of the 
Ohio conference ; to which, in the interval of 
the General Conference, they shall be respon- 
sible for their conduct in office. 

7. They shall have authority to publish any 
book or tract which has been previously pub- 
lished by the agents at New- York, when in 
their judgment, and in the judgment of the 
book committee, the demand for such publi- 
cation will justify, and the interest of the 
Church require it. Provided they shall not 
reprint our large works, such as the commen- 
taries, quarto Bible, Wesley's and Fletcher's 
works, or any other work containing more 
than 700 pages. 

8. They shall publish such books and tracts 
as are recommended to them for publication, 
by the General^ Conference ; and they may 
publish any new work which shall be ap- 
proved by the editors, and recommended by 
the book committee at Cincinnati, or by an 
annual conference. 

9* 



202 printing and Part 2. 

9. There shall be an editor and an assistant 
editor, who shall have charge of the Western 
Christian Advocate, and all the editorial bu- 
siness of the establishment, except what be- 
longs to the German department ; and who, 
if chosen from among the travelling preach- 
ers, shall, by virtue of their appointment, be 
members of the Ohio conference, to which, in 
the interval of the General Conference, they 
shall be responsible for their conduct in office. 

10. There shall be an editor in the Ger- 
man department, who shall have charge of 
the Christian Apologist, and perform all the 
editorial duties necessary in the printing of 
such books and tracts as may be recommend- 
ed to the agents as above, for publication in 
the German language. 

11. The Ohio conference shall exercise 
the same jurisdiction over said agents and 
editors that the New- York conference does 
over the agents and editors at New- York. 

12. In case of death, resignation, or re- 
moval of any of said agents or editors, the 
Ohio conference shall have authority to ap- 
point a successor until the ensuing General 
Conference. 

13. AH books or printed sheets ordered by 
the agents of the Concern from New- York 
shall be charged at cost prices. 



Sec. 8. CIRCULATING OF BOOKS. 203 

14. It shall be the duty of the agents to 
report the state of the western division of the 
Book Concern to all the annual conferences 
yearly, and to inform the respective confer- 
ences of any within their bounds who fail to 
make payment, that measures may be taken 
to collect, or secure such debts. 

15. The book committee of this department 
of the Book Concern shall consist of nine 
members, including the editors, to be chosen 
annually by the Ohio conference, whose powers 
and duties in reference to this establishment 
shall be the same as those of the book com- 
mittee at New- York, in relation to the Con- 
cern there. 

16. The agents of this establishment shall 
remit to the agents at New-York during the 
current year as largely and frequently as their 
funds will allow, and to the full amount of 
stock furnished, if practicable. They shall 
also remit any surplus funds that may be in 
their hands after defraying the expense of 
conducting their business, which shall be 
added to the profits of the Concern at New- 
York, and appropriated to the same purposes. 

17. In addition to the Christian Advocate 
and Journal, and the Western Christian Ad- 
vocate, there shall be similar papers esta- 
blished in the following places, namely, 



204 printing and Part 2. 

Charleston, S. C, Richmond, Va., Nashville, 
Tenn., and Pittsburg, to be conducted under 
the direction and patronage of this confer- 
ence ; provided, that before any such paper 
shall be commenced, three thousand sub- 
scribers shall be obtained, or subscriptions 
amounting to six thousand dollars. And the 
annual conference within whose bounds such 
paper shall be established, shall appoint from 
their own members a publishing committee, 
consisting of three, whose duties shall be 
similar to those of the book committees of 
New-York and Cincinnati, so far as they may 
be applicable to those establishments. There 
shall also be published at Cincinnati a period- 
ical for females and the Christian Apologist. 

18. The editors of the papers at Charles- 
ton, Nashville, Richmond, and Pittsburg, 
shall be elected by this conference. And in 
case of vacancy by death, resignation, or 
otherwise, in either of these establishments, 
the annual conference where it is located shall 
have authority to fill such vacancy as above 
provided. 

19. The publishing committee in each of 
these establishments shall keep an account of 
the receipts and expenditures for the paper, 
correspond with the agents at New- York, hold 
all moneys, after defraying current expenses, 



Sec. 8. CIRCULATING OF BOOKS. 205 

subject to their order, and shall report an- 
nually on the state of the establishment to 
their conference, and to the agents at New- 
York. And whenever it shall be found that 
such papers do not fully support themselves, 
it shall be the duty of the annual conferences 
within whose bounds they are established to 
discontinue them, and report to the agents at 
New- York the state of the accounts on the 
final settlement of the business ; and if there 
be any loss, the said agents shall take the 
earliest opportunity to discharge the debt. 

20. The annual conferences are affection- 
ately and earnestly requested not to establish 
any more conference papers ; and where such 
papers exist, they may be discontinued when 
it can be done consistently with existing obli- 
gations. 

21. There shall be a depository of our 
books at Charleston, S. C, at Pittsburgh, Pa., 
and at Boston, Mass., furnished by the agents 
at New- York with full supplies of the books 
of our General Catalogue, Sunday school 
books and tracts, to be sold for the Concern 
on the same terms as at New-York. Pro- 
vided, That there shall not be more than 
twenty-five thousand dollars' worth of books 
at any one time at Charleston, nor more than 
fifteen thousand dollars' worth at Pittsburgh, 



206 printing and Part 2. 

nor more than ten thousand dollars' worth at 
Boston. 

22. The expenses incident to the transport- 
ation, management, and sale of our books at 
these depositories, having been met out of 
the sales according to an arrangement with 
the agents at New- York, the nett proceeds 
shall be forwarded to said agents as fast as 
possible. 

23. Full statements shall be made to the 
agents at New- York semi-annually, at dates 
fixed by them, of the amount of sales, and 
of expenses ; distinguishing cash sales from 
those on credit. And also, annual statements 
shall be made of the amount of stock. 

24. If it shall appear to the agents at New- 
York that the business at either of the depo- 
sitories is not well managed, or that remit- 
tances are not duly made, they shall give 
notice thereof to the committee or commis- 
sioners acting for the annual conference, 
or to the annual conference, who shall im- 
mediately correct the error complained of, 
or cause the affairs of the depository to be 
wound up. 

25. The salaries for the support of editors 
and agents in all our book and periodical 
establishments shall be fixed by the book or 

.publishing committees in the several places 



Sec. 8. CIRCULATING OF BOOKS. 207 

for which such editors and agents are ap- 
pointed. 

26. No books shall hereafter be issued on 
commission, either from New- York, Cincin- 
nati, or any other depository or establishment 
under our direction. 

27. Every annual conference shall appoint 
a committee or committees, to examine the 
accounts of the presiding elders, preachers, 
and book stewards, in their respective dis- 
tricts and circuits. Every presiding elder, 
minister, and preacher, shall do every thing 
in his power to recover all debts due to the 
Concern, and also all books belonging to it, 
within the bounds of his charge. If any per- 
son, preacher, or member, be indebted to the 
Book Concern, and refuse or neglect to make 
payment, or to come to a just settlement, let 
him be dealt with in the same manner as is 
directed in other cases of debt and disputed 
accounts. See chap, i, sec. 10. 

28. The profits arising from the Book Con- 
cern, after a sufficient capital to carry on the 
business is retained, shall be regularly ap- 
plied to the support of the deficient travelling 
preachers and their families, the widows and 
orphans of preachers, &c. The general book 
steward shall every year send forward to each 
annual conference an account of the dividend 



208 PRINTING, etc. Part 2. 

which the several annual conferences may 
draw that year: and each conference may 
draw for its proportionate part on any person 
who has book money in hands, and the drafts, 
with the receipt of the conference thereon, 
shall be sent to the general book steward, 
and be placed to the credit of the person who 
paid the same. 

29. Any travelling preacher who may pub- 
lish any work or book of his own shall be re- 
sponsible to his conference for any obnoxious 
matter or doctrine therein contained. 

30. No editor, agent, or clerk, employed 
in the Book Concern, or in any department 
belonging to it, shall be allowed in any case 
to publish or sell books as his own private 
property. 

31. The editors, the general book steward, 
and book committee at New- York, shall be 
authorized to adopt such measures as they 
may deem expedient, and as shall be found 
practicable, to secure the premises on Mul- 
berry-street for the uses and purposes for 
which the purchase was made, and the build- 
ings erected. 



Sec. 10. SLAVERY. 209 

SECTION IX. 

Local Preachers to have an Allowance in given Cases. 

1. Whenever a local preacher fills the place 
of a travelling preacher by the approbation of 
the presiding elder, he shall- be paid for his 
time a sum proportional to the allowance of 
a travelling preacher ; which sum shall be paid 
by the circuit at the next quarterly meeting, if 
the travelling preacher whose place he filled 
up were either sick or necessarily absent ; or, 
in other cases, out of the allowance of the 
travelling preacher. 

2. If a local preacher be distressed in his 
temporal circumstances, on account of his ser- 
vice in the circuit, he may apply to the quar- 
terly meeting conference, who may give him 
what relief they judge proper, after the allow- 
ance of the travelling preachers and of their 
wives, and all other regular allowances, are 
discharged. 

section x. 

Of Slavery. 

Quest. What shall be done for the extirpa- 
tion of the evil of slavery ? 

Ansrv. 1. We declare that we are as much 
as ever convinced of the great evil of slavery : 
therefore no slaveholder shall be eligible to 



210 slavery. Part 2. 

any official station in our Church hereafter, 
where the laws of the state in which he lives 
will admit of emancipation, and permit the 
liberated slave to enjoy freedom. 

2. When any travelling preacher becomes 
an owner of a slave or slaves, by any means, 
he shall forfeit his ministerial character in our 
Church, unless he execute, if it be practicable 
a legal emancipation of such slaves, conform- 
ably to the laws of the state in which he lives. 

3. All our preachers shall prudently enforce 
upon our members the necessity of teaching 
their slaves to read the word of God ; and to 
allow them time to attend upon the public 
worship of God on our regular days of divine 
service. 

4. Our coloured preachers and official mem 
bers shall have all the privileges which are usual 
to others in the district and quarterly confer- 
ences, where the usages of the country do not for- 
bid it. And the presiding elder may hold for them 
a separate district conference, where the num- 
ber of coloured local preachers will justify it. 

5. The annual conferences may employ 
coloured preachers to travel and preach where 
their services are judged necessary ; provided 
that no one shall be so employed without 
having been recommended according to the 
form of discipline. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

■ • Page 

Sec. 1. Origin of the M. E. Church 7 

Sec. 2. Articles of religion 9 

Sec. 3. General and annual conferences 20 

Sec. 4. The election and consecration of bishops, and their duty 27 

Sec. 5. Presiding elders, and their duty 31 

Sec. 6. Election and ordination of travelling elders, and their duty 34 
Sec. 7. Election and ordination of travelling deacons, and their 

duty 35 

Sec. 8. Of the reception of preachers from the Wesleyan con- 
nection, and from other denominations 36 

Sec. 9. The method of receiving travelling preachers, and their 

duty. -... 38 

Sec 20. The duties of those who have the charge of circuits. . 45 
Sec. 11. Trial of those who think they are moved by the Holy 

Ghost to preach 51 

Sec. 12. Matter and manner of preaching, and other public ex- 
ercises 52 

Sec. 13. The duty of preachers to God, themselves, and one 

another 53 

Sec. 14. Rules by which we should continue or desist from 

preaching at any place 57 

Sec. 15. Visiting from house to house ; guarding against those 
things which are so common to professors, and enforcing practical 

religion 57 

Sec. 16. The instruction of children 64 

Sec. 17. Of employing our time profitably when we are not 

travelling, &c 07 

Sec. 18. Necessity of union among ourselves • 69 

Sec. 19. Method by which immoral travelling ministers or 

preachers shall be brought to trial, &c. .., 70 

Sec. 20. How to provide for the circuits in time of conference, 

and to preserve and increase the work of God 75 

Sec. 21. Of the local preachers 75 

Sec. 22. Of baptism 80 

Sec. 23. Of the Lord's supper - SO 

Sec. 24. Of public worship • 81 

Sec. 25. Spirit and truth of singing .......... 82 



212 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER II. 

Page 

Sec. 1. The nature, design, and general rules of our united so- 
cieties - . • 84 

Sec. 2. Of class meetings 89 

Sec. 3. Of the band societies 92 

Sec. 4. Privileges granted to serious persons who are not of our 

Church 96 

Sec. 5. Of marriage » 96 

Sec. 6. Of dress 98 

Sec. 7. Of bringing to trial, finding guilty, and reproving, sus- 
pending, or excluding disorderly persons from society 96 

CHAPTER III. 
Sacramental Services, $c. 

Sec. 1. The order for the administration of the Lord's supper 101 

Sec. 2. Administration of baptism to infants 110 

The ministration of baptism to such as are of riper years 114 

Sec. 3. Form of solemnization of matrimony 120 

Sec. 4. Order of the burial of the dead 126 

CHAPTER IV. 

The Form and Manner of making and ordaining Bishops, Elders, and 

Deacons, 

Sec. 1 . Form and manner of making deacons - 130 

Sec. 2. The form and manner of ordaining elders 135 

Sec. 3. Form of ordaining a bishop 149 

PART SECOND. 

Sec. 1. Of the boundaries of the annual conferences, &c 161 

Sec. 2. Of building churches, and the order to be observed 

therein - 169 

Sec. 3. Qualifications, appointment, and duty of the stewards 

of circuits „ 179 

Sec. 4. Of the allowance to the ministers and preachers, and to 

their wives, widows, and children 181 

Sec. 5. Raising annual supplies for propagation of the Gospel, 

for making up the allowance of the preachers, &c 183 

Sec. 6. Of the support of missions 191 

Sec. 7. Of the chartered fund 196 

Sec. 8. Of the printing and circulating of books, and of the pro- 
fits arising therefrom 198 

Sec. 9. Local preachers to have an allowance in given cases-. 209 
Sec. 10. Of slavery , p 209 



ALPHABETICAL INDEX. 



Annual conferences, 24 ; who shall attend, 24 ; who appoint the 
times of holding, 24 ; who the place, 24 ; what the method of pro- 
ceeding in, 24-27 ; boundaries of the several, 161-169. 

Allowance to ministers, their widows, and children, 181, 182. 

Annual supplies for the propagation of the Gospel, of raising, 183-190. 

Appeal of preachers expelled, and of preachers located without their 
consent, 73, 74 ; of members expelled, 100. 

Band societies, rules of, &c, 92-96. 

Baptism, of, 16, 80; ministration of, to infants, 110-114; to adults, 
114-120. 

Bishops, how constituted, 27 ; duties of, 27-29 ; trial of, 29, 30 ; 
form of ordaining, 149-160. 

Book Concern, profits of, how applied, 186, 207. 

Book Concern at New- York, respecting the agents of, 198-200; 
committee of, 200. 

Book Concern at Cincinnati, respecting the, 201-203. 

Bribery, 64. 

Burial of the dead, order of, 126-129. 

Buying and selling goods that have not paid the duty, 64. 

Certificate of membership, form of, 47. 

Chartered fund, 185, 186, 196-198. 

Children, instruction of, 64-67. 

Christ, incarnation, &c, of, 9 ; oblation of, 17, 18. 

Christian Advocate and Journal, 198. 

Christian Apologist, 202, 204. 

Church, of the, 14. 

Churches, how to be built, 169 ; how to prevent our people from 
contracting debts in building, 170 ; in what case admit no deed of 
conveyance of, 170 ; pews in, 171 ; trustees of, must be members of 
the Church, 171 ; no trustee shall be ejected from office while security 
for money, 171 ; men and women sit apart in, 171 ; talking in, 171 ; 
what shall be done for security of, 172 ; raise yearly subscriptions for 
building and paying debts on, 46, 47. 

Circuits, duties of those having charge of, 45-51. 

Class meetings, leaders of, 89, 90 ; what done to make profitable, 90 ; 
how to keep improper persons from, 90 ; how often persons not mem- 
bers to meet in, 96. 



214 ALPHABETICAL INDEX. 

Collections, weekly class, 182 ; public, 185. 
Conference, how to provide for circuits in time of, 75. 
Cup of the Lord not denied the laity, 17. 

Deacons, election and ordination of travelling, 35 ; how constituted, 
35 ; duties of, 35 ; probation of, for the office of elder, 35 ; may not 
cease to travel without consent of conference, 35 ; form of ordaining, 
130-135. 

Deed of settlement, 173-175. 

Depositories, 205, 206. 

Districts, how formed, 169. 

Dress, directions about, 98. , 

Editors, 198, 202, 204. 

Elders, travelling, how constituted, 32 ; duties of, 34 ; may not 
cease to travel without consent of the conference, 34 ; form of ordain- 
ing, 135-148. 

Evil speaking, how to guard against, 63, 64. 

Exhorters, how licensed, 50, 51. 

Fast, preachers in charge shall take care that it be held, 50. 

Females, a periodical for, 204. 

Free will, 12. 

Fund, each annual conference may raise a, 186. 

General Conference, of whom composed, powers, &c, 21-24; ex- 
penses of delegates, how defrayed, 187. 
Good works, of, 13. 
Goods, Christian men's, 19. 
Governments, British and other, 19. 
Grace, means of, instituted, 54, 55 ; prudential, 55, 56. 

Holy Ghost one with the Father, 10. 
Justification by faith, 13. 
Knowing, why we are not more, 68. 

Local preachers, quarterly conference take cognizance of, 75 ; how 
licensed, 76 ; recommended for orders, 76 ; when eligible for orders, 
76, 77 ; have their names on class papers, 78 ; when they remove 
shall take a certificate, 78 ; trial of, 78-80 ; have allowance in certain 
cases, 209. 

Lord's prayer in public worship, 82. 

Lord's supper, 16 ; directions in relation to, 81 ; service, 101-110. 

Marriage, evils with respect to, 96, 97 ; of ministers lawful, 18. 
Matrimony, form of solemnizing, 120-126. 
Masses, blasphemous, 17, 18. 

Members, how received, 90, 91 ; what done when they neglect class, 
91, 92. 

Methodism,* history of, 3-5. 



ALPHABETICAL INDEX. 215 

Methodist Episcopal Church, origin of, 7, 8. 

Ministers, travelling, trial of, for immorality, 70, 71 ; for improper 
tempers, words, and actions, 71 ; for disseminating false doctrines, 
71, 72 ; annual conferences to raise money for the necessitous, 186, 187. 

Missionaries, how appointed, and duties of, 43, 44. 

Missions, annual conferences examine the state of domestic, 44; 
preachers shall encourage the support of, 46 ; committee on, 191 ; 
provisions for foreign, 192-196. 

Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and auxil- 
iaries to the, 44, 192-196. 

Oaths, of, 20. 

Ordinances, form of Discipline to be used in administering, 82. 

Parsonages, or dwelling houses for preachers, building and renting, 
187-190. 

People, our, why not better, 68. 

Preachers, reception of, from the Wesleyan connection and other 
Churches, 36-38 ; method of receiving travelling, 38, 41, 43 ; how in 
the interval of conferences, 38 ; course of study for, 38, 39 ; license 
of, 39 ; duties of, 39 ; directions to, 39-41 ; duties to God, &c, 53-56 ; 
on trial accused of crime, 74 ; may not leave their work, 43 ; may be 
located without their consent, 72, 73 ; coloured, 210. 

Preaching, matter and manner of, 52, 53 ; rules by which we should 
continue or desist from, 57. 

Presiding elders, by whom appointed, 31 ; duties of, 31-33 ; by 
whom stationed and changed, 33 ; how long to remain in the same 
district, 33 ; may not employ a preacher rejected at conference, 33 ; 
how supported, 33. 

Publishing committees for local papers, 204, 205. 

Purgatory, 14. 

Review, Quarterly, 198. 

Rites and ceremonies may be changed, 18, 19. 

Rulers of the United States, 19. 

Sabbath breaking, how to guard against, 63, 64. 

Sacramental service, 101-110. 

Sacraments, of the, 15. 

Scriptures, canonical books of, 10, 11. 

Sin, original, 12 ; after justification, 13. 

Singing, directions for, 82-84. 

Slavery, of, 209, 210. 

Spirituous liquors, no preacher shall distil or vend, 78. 

Stewards, respecting, 179, 180. 

Sunday schools, duty of preachers in relation to, 46, 65-67. 

Supererogation, works of, 13. 

Superannuated preachers living without the bounds of their confer- 
ences shall forward a certificate, 25; how such preachers shall be 
tried, 71. 

Supernumeraries, who are, 25 ; who jefufQ to attend to the work 
assigned them, 25. 



216 ALPHABETICAL INDEX. 

Table expenses of preachers, presiding elders, and bishops, 189, 190. 
Testaments, Old and New, 11. 

Time, improvement of, at the General and annual conferences, 20 ; 
employing profitably, 67, 68. 

Tongue, of speaking in an unknown, 15. 

Trial of those who think they should preach, 51, 52, 

Trial of disorderly members, 98-101. 

Trinity, doctrine of, 9. 

Union, necessity of, among ourselves, 69 ; how to promote closer, 69. 
United societies, nature, design, and general rules of, 84-89. 

Visiting from house to house, 58 ; calls for, 59 ; hinderances in, 59 ; 
objections to, 61, 62 ; answered, 62, 63. 

Worship, public, how conducted, 81, 82. 



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